Adegbesan Defend Bill To Establish National Oil Palm Research Institute & College, Apoje Ijebu

By Joseph Oduntan, Abeokuta

Members of National Assembly, Representing Ijebu North, Ijebu North-East and Ogun Water Side Federal Constituency d has defend Bill To Establish National Oil Palm Research Institute And College, Spoke, Ijebu Igbo.

Hon. (Engr) Joseph Folorunso Adegbesan who is at A-Day public hearing of the House of Representatives Committee on Agricultural Colleges and Institutions to defend a-'nother bill among his other several bills that have scaled through second reading at the green chamber of National Assembly; " Bill for an Act to Amend the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria Act, Cap 2024" to Establish the National Institute for Oil Palm Research, Ijebu Igbo, Ogun State and other Related Matters (H.B. 655) held on, Friday, 7th May, 2024 at House Conference room, National Assembly, Abuja.

The sponsor of the Bill, Hon. Joseph Adegbesan affirmed that Apoje farm settlement, popularly known for production of Oil Palm in Ijebu Igbo, Ogun State and Nigeria at large was sited on 80,000 hectares of land and established by the Premier of then Western Region, Pa Obafemi Awolowo of the blessed memory.

Stakeholders at the event, remarked that, the Bill would strengthen the nation's quest for food sufficiency and socio economic development of our country.

The National Oil Palm Research Institutes, Apoje, Ijebu Igbo when established, will bridge the gap between traditional farming methods and mechanization, and serves as a catalyst for innovation, technology transfer, collaboration and research among academia, industry and government agencies. 

It will also allow young Nigerians access to basic knowledge, skills and emerging techniques in Oil Palm production" Adegbesan noted.

The committe is expected to submit a report to the House for consideration ahead of a third reading passage and transmission of same to the Senate for concurrence.

In attendance were HRH Ọba Abdulrasheed Abayomi Banjo, Olokinne of Ojowo, Former Ogun State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Babatunde Ipaye, Executive Chairman of Ijebu North Local Government, Mr. Bolaji Odusanya and many other reputable leaders from Ijebu Igbo

And other notable leaders at the public hearing are, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, who was represented by his Deputy, Hon. Benjamin Kalu and Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, ably represented by Director Planning & Policy Coordination and Executive Secretary of Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN), Professor Garba Shambutu.