Why I am investing in agriculture – Dr Indimi

Why I am investing in agriculture – Dr Indimi

Dr. Indimi(left) with Pro Chancellor Unilorin, Dr. Oyelekan at the MoU signing

The Chairman, Oriental Group of Companies, Dr. Mohammed Indimi, OFR has explained why he has decided to diversify into investing his money into agriculture.

Dr. Indimi who spoke with journalists penultimate week in Maiduguri at the signing of a multi-million dollar MoU between one of his subsidiary companies, OER Farms Limited  and University of Ilorin said enhancing food security in the country was his major concern to venture into agricultural investment in his country Nigeria.

He refuted insinuation in the global fear that oil will no longer be a major player in the world’s economies, stressing that, “we are going to drill the until until we drain it. Maybe not in my generation but I have groomed the younger one that will do that. My company does a lot of things and not just oil. Like I said before, agriculture is my long-time dream and I am very happy that we have ventured into it now. I am also particularly happy because our investment in agriculture will enhance the food security in the country,” Dr. Indimi disclosed.

The Borno born oil mogul also threw his weight behind President Mohammadu Buhari’s decision to closing the country’s borders, stressing that, “such drastic measures will enhance production and boost local economy of the country,

“If you go to Benin Republic now, there is over 15 million tonnes of rice to be shipped into Nigeria. I asked, why can’t they consume it and I was told that they only eat their local rice. They don’t eat the foreign rice themselves and they want to dump it on other people.

“This is unacceptable and I commend the president for his stand on the closure of our borders,” Dr. Indimi said.

Dr. Indimi who had earlier with the Pro Chancellor of University of Ilorin, Prof. Jubril Oyelekan sealed a deal with the university on behalf of his company and the University at his office in Maiduguri also expressed joy that, “this project is a massive one and its quite unique because we are not bringing anybody from outside, university of Ilorin are going to provide the land for us and their Faculty of Agriculture will be providing all the labour and the expertise and we will pay them”.

Details of the OER Farms Ltd and University of Ilorin MoU as obtained by ImpactOnlineNigeria  indicates that the agreement will be a  21-year Land Lease Agreement with University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) to develop a 10,000-hectare mechanised agricultural project, which will be managed in line with best industry practice to increase productivity within the sector.

 Improved crop varieties with high yielding cash crops such as maize, soya beans and cashew are proposed for the project. The project is also designed to develop the capacity of the University of Ilorin in agricultural research, improve farm practice, develop young agric entrepreneurs who will give farming a different perspective, promote local Inclusion and enhance economic viability in catchment areas.

Thr Unilorin team and Oriental Group chair, Dr. Indimi and MD OER farm, Indimi Jnr

With its track record of touching lives through sustainable development in Nigeria, another subsidiary of Oriental Group, Oriental Energy Resources Limited(OERL),  had earlier supported the University of Uyo in Akwa Ibom State by upgrading facilities at the institution  to enable a renewal of  its accreditation of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering Departments.

OERL also provided funding for a 5-year supply of contemporary academic books and laboratory consumables among others to the university. Similar enhancement of education facilities and learning environment is ongoing at the University of Maiduguri, Borno State, where a Centre for Distance Learning is being constructed by the Muhammadu Indimi Foundation

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