Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yoruba land, Iba Gani Adams; Nigeria’s Ambassador to South Africa, Alhaji Mohammed Haruna Manta; Consul General, Andrew Nengak Idi; Prof. Aregbeshola Adewale and Prof. Francis Bayo Lewu, have canvassed for a better and clearer approach to the development of agriculture in the Southwest region.

They, however, hold different perspectives on how the agro sector could be better developed through modern and mechanised approach. They spoke during the 2023 edition of Oodua Progressive Union (OPU) African Summit in South Africa.

The summit, which was organised by the South African chapter of the OPU, also had intellectuals in attendance, who spoke on how best to improve the African continent economically and politically.

In his opening remarks, Aare Ona Kakanfo, who is also the Global Convener of OPU, said the Yoruba Diaspora organisation, is visible in 98 countries across the globe, just as he said OPU is determined to reposition the trajectory of Yoruba race to take its pride of place among the races of the world.

Nigerian ambassador to South Africa, Muhammed Haruna Manta, who was represented by the Head of Chancery, Mr. Erhaze Ehiabi Sunday, said Nigerians in South Africa are good ambassadors of the country.

Speaking on the topic titled: “Understanding the Agricultural value chain among the Yoruba”,

Adewale from the Department of International Business and Development Economics, University of South Africa, said for the Yoruba to explore the potential of the soil, there is need for the ethnic group to optimally manage its resources.

“Yoruba is a blessed race. You cannot quantify the blessings of humanity, land, resources, capacity and value bestowed on the Yoruba race. But it is baffling when the people of the race, with such huge potential, are wallowing in pain occasioned by ignorance, neglect, poverty and lack.

“The missing links are lack of good managers and poor management.
The Yoruba needs to understand how to drive human, material and capital resources towards fulfilling and achieving its goal.

“When the value chain is smooth, the business prospers. So, the best approach is for us to address the hindrances that hold us back and come up with something that is workable and enduring.

In his contribution, Prof. Lewu from the Department of Agriculture, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Cape Peninsula, University of Technology, South Africa said Yoruba is well known for its rich culture, tradition and heritage.

He added that the Yoruba culture is entrenched in very amiable diversity, maintaining that that is the reason for the enduring values and ethos of Omoluabi that the Yoruba are renowned for.