Agricultural Industrialization Panacea To African Development – Debo Akande
•••As Ibadan First Private Radio Station, Splash FM Holds 18th Annual Lecture
•By Oyeniyi Awojoodu
IBADAN – The Director General of Oyo State Agricultural Development Agency (OYSADA) and Executive Assistant on Agribusiness and International Cooperation to the Governor of Oyo State, Dr Debo Akande has stated the reason while African must embrace tech-driven agriculture.
Just as he noted that industrialization of agriculture is the solution to economic growth and development of Africa.
Speaking at the annual lecture commemorating the 18th anniversary celebration of Splash 105.5 FM (The First Independent Radio Station in Ibadan) as well, 86th birthday of the founder and proprietor of West Midlands Communications and Ekarun Olubadan of Ibadanland, His Royal Majesty, Oba Dr Murtala Adebayo Akande, Dr Debo Akande noted that for several decades, African nations have struggled to develop a nation consistently focused on economic development and growth.
In his lecture titled, “Industrialization of Agriculture For Economic Development.” Akande maintained that the topic of the lecture resonates strongly with our country’s existential situation.
He said, “Economic development broadly implies improvement in the overall well-being of a population, the standard of living, quality of life, and progressive changes in the country’s socio-economic structure.
“Our narrative as a nation has been that of one that has struggled with a systematic and consistent economic growth strategy and inability to translate any economic growth that has occurred in history into economic development. Poverty reduction, which is one of the primary goals and measurements of economic development, is a major paradox to economic growth in Nigeria.
“The poverty and economic growth paradox in Nigeria is not new. During most of the periods that Nigeria’s economy was growing, the poverty level was also high. Between the late 1970s and 1990, Nigeria’s poverty level, which was already 27%, subsequently jumped to 46% in 1996, and it currently stands at 40.1%. Nigeria represents 10% of the total world extreme poverty. If we compare Nigeria to a country like Indonesia, it is rather the opposite of what we are experiencing in Nigeria.
“During the same period, Indonesia’s economy was growing consistently at an average of 3%, and they were able to reduce poverty by 20-30%. In the 1990s, through cotton to garment industrialization, Indonesia created more than 100,000 new jobs within the garment industry and not on the farm.
“Indonesia’s poverty level is currently 8.5%. Its per capita national income rose from $200 in 1965 to close to $5,000 today, while Nigeria’s is around $800. Today, more than 50% of Indonesia’s exports are manufactured goods; in contrast, Nigeria’s manufacturing contribution has never risen above 10%.
“From Independence, the focus of Nigeria’s government policy shifted from the extraction policy of the colonial era to export-led growth and import-substitution policy for industrialization.
While narrowing it down to Oyo state, Debo Akande said, “Today, Oyo is on the verge of industrializing its agricultural sector. You may say I am biased, but I am speaking the facts, and they say data is sacred. In the last six years, Oyo State has ticked most of the boxes above. Oyo State, under the visionary leadership of Engr. Seyi Makinde, developed its own agribusiness strategy as far back as 2019.
Oba Murtala Adebayo Akande earlier welcome address that was read by the CEO West Midlands communications, owner of SplashFM & Lagelu FM – Chief Mrs Atinuke Adetunji stated “It is not every time a man gets to celebrate 86 meaningful years of life, nor is it every day that one sees a dream like Splash FM grow, thrive, and redefine a city’s media culture for 18 vibrant years.
“But what is life, without the people who walk its journey with you? Today, I’m not just celebrating my birthday, I am celebrating you, my dear friends, family, colleagues, and loyal partners.
“I am overwhelmed by the love that surrounds me, by the laughter in this hall, by the kind words that have been spoken, and by the faces that have travelled near and far just to honor me.To my friends, Your unwavering support, your constant check-ins, your belief in my person and vision… these are treasures money cannot buy. To my dear family — your love is my compass.
“To the entire team at WestMidlands Communications, past and present, thank you for giving meaning to a vision I once whispered to myself. You’ve turned a single frequency into a household name. You’ve taken radio beyond the studio, you’ve taken it into lives.
“I often say that Splash FM is not just a radio station, it is a voice of values, a companion, a teacher, an entertainer, and most importantly, a torchbearer. The fact that it stands today as the first private radio station in Ibadan, and also the first to stream live on Facebook in the city, is not just a testament to innovation — it is proof that dreams, when backed by sincerity and commitment, can rewrite history. And today, as I look at all of you, I am reminded again that legacy is not only built in structures — it is built in values.
“I stand before you today not just as a Royal Majesty or a broadcaster, but as a grateful man.Thank you, thank you, thank you, for the honor, the love, the friendship. May Almighty God bless and reward you all abundantly.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the occasion Prof. Jide Owoeye stated that the gathering is not just a calendar coincidence but a convergence of excellence.
Prof. Jide Owoeye who also doubles as the Chairman, Governing Council, Lead City University, Ibadan described the event as a two celebrations, one legacy.
He said, “Today, we gather not only to honour a station but to celebrate a symbol, an 86th birthday celebration for Oba Dr. Murtala Adebayo Akande, a monarch, a media visionary, and a beacon of Ibadan’s legacy.
“Today, I stand here as Chairman of the Governing Council of Lead City University, chairing this occasion, but I also stand as a grateful citizen of this city because when you tell the story of Ibadan’s modern evolution, you cannot ignore the voice of Splash FM.”
The General Manager of the Splash FM radio station, Mr Tunde Olawuwo stated that the annual lecture has gained the reputation for being a melting pot of ideas over the years by bringing topical issues on the front burner has continued to set the pace in creating a lasting impact beyond the traditional responsibilities of the media to educate, inform and entertain.