*Jonny Baxter, Deputy British High Commissioner to Nigeria, visits Governor Oluwaseyi Makinde of Oyo State, stating his visit is aimed聽 at deepening the longstanding partnership and friendship between the UK, the West African country, and with Oyo State to more create jobs for the people

Gbenga Kayode | 绿帽献妻

Mr. Jonny Baxter, British Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Thursday, March 7, 2024, met with Governor (Engr.) Oluwaseyi Makinde of Oyo State, and other members of the State House of Assembly, in Ibadan, the state capital, as part of his three-day high-level visit to the South-Western state.

Baxter, at the meeting with Governor Makinde and other top government officials, stated that his visit is to help deepen and further the longstanding partnership and friendship between our two great countries and with Oyo State.

The British envoy’s team with some farmers in Oyo State

Ndidiamaka Eze, Senior Press and Public Affairs Officer and Communications Lead on Prosperity and Economic Development, in the FCDO,聽 in a statement, said the British envoy reiterated the UK鈥檚 commitment to improving trade and economic development opportunities in agribusiness in the state.

The statement also noted Baxter discussed how both parties could work together to create jobs and build a more prosperous relationship between the UK and Oyo State.

Speaking on the UK-funded Agro storage and research facilities in Oyo State, the Deputy High Commissioner restated the UK鈥檚 commitment to helping to facilitate investment in the state.

Commenting on his visit, Baxter further said: “Visiting Oyo State is a great opportunity to engage and interact with key stakeholders, to learn and gain insights into some of our UK-funded programmes and the impact they have made so far, and the challenges and opportunities identified.

鈥淲e very much want to continue our partnerships and support the efforts of the people of Oyo state to enhance economic prosperity and share expertise were useful.

鈥淚 believe our partnership, at all levels, will continue to grow and I look forward to playing my part.鈥�

Eze also noted while in Ibadan, the Deputy High Commissioner joined the commissioning of the new British International Investment (BII) funded Valency agro-processing complex.

According to the statement, the newly commissioned complex which when completed, will strengthen partnerships with local farmers and processing centres to maximise output, provide more stable supply of premium-quality products and reach at least 60,000 farmers in Nigeria to create up to 2,800 jobs among low-income communities.

As regards the Valency agro-processing complex, Baxter stated: “The UK鈥檚 sustainable agriculture work in Nigeria aims to catalyse an agriculture and food systems transformation that delivers benefits for people, climate, and nature.

鈥淚 am delighted to see this new UK investment come to fruition to help enhance value addition in Nigeria鈥檚 food processing and export capabilities, creating jobs and improving livelihood opportunities across the nation.

“We look forward to continuing to support Nigeria鈥檚 agriculture sector and the opportunities this provides for its economic growth and its population.鈥�

During the three-day visit, he equally met with key stakeholders in the state government, as well as business contacts, and traditional leaders to hear the impact of their projects and initiatives to the lives of people across the state.

Through these meetings, the British Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria will explore additional investment and trade partnerships, with a potential to boost the state鈥檚 economic growth and to create more jobs for Nigerians, said the Senior Press and Public Affairs Officer in the statement.

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