By Ayodele Oni
In a bid to find a permanent solution to erosion and sea incursion in coastal communities in Ondo state, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has sought assistance of foreign experts to address the challenges.
This is as some communities in the cosdtal area face extinction, following perennial ocean surge, which has destroyed their means of livelihood.
The feat was achieved during a high-level mission of Governor Aiyedatiwa, to the Headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO-UN) in Rome, Italy, with a strategic side visit to Amsterdam, Netherlands.
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Ebenezer Adeniyan stated that during the visit, Aiyedatiwa highlighted the severe environmental challenges confronting Aiyetoro and other coastal communities in Ilaje Local Government Area due to sea incursion and erosion.
“The mission explored pathways for technical support and climate finance to develop a comprehensive coastal resilience programme.
“Governor Aiyedatiwa also visited Amsterdam in the Netherlands, which shares similar terrain with the coastal areas of Ondo State, to meet with experts and inspect equipment on environmental protection, with particular focus on erosion control, sea incursion and land reclamation.
“Aside from the technical inspection, the Governor held meetings with representatives of companies that have shown interest in partnering with the Ondo State Government on land reclamation and sustainable coastal protection solutions for communities in Ilaje and other riverine areas.”
The statement added thst the Governor participated in the global high-level exchange, “Investable Beans: De-risking and Financing Forest-Positive Supply Chains”, and complemented by strategic bilateral engagements with FAO senior management, technical teams and private sector leaders, which is expected to position Ondo State for expanded international partnerships, investment mobilization and technical cooperation.
“Governor Aiyedatiwa showcased Ondo State’s agricultural potential and his administration’s commitment under the OUR EASE Development Agenda to transform the State from primary production into a competitive hub for agribusiness, processing and value addition.
The governor, who spoke at the High-Level Reflections session, attended by delegates from 19 countries, emphasized the need to pursue increased productivity, forest conservation and improved farmers’ livelihoods as mutually reinforcing objectives.
He highlighted the State’s investment in rural security, feeder roads, land access for investors and existing private investments such as Johnvents Industries Limited as evidence of Ondo’s readiness for agro-industrial growth.
The Governor held direct investment talks with experts to explore partnerships for local cocoa processing into liquor, butter and powder, technology transfer, long-term offtake and creation of jobs within the State.
The foreign investors expressed willingness to undertake internal consultations and re-engage with the State with a potential scoping mission to Ondo State in early 2027.
Governor Aiyedatiwa alos secured commitment for technical support to develop bankable investment cases and organize a results-oriented Ondo State Agrifood Investment Summit.
The Summit will be preceded by a joint FAO-Ondo scoping mission to identify priority value chains, assess infrastructure and facilitate targeted investor matchmaking.
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