Directors Urged to Create Enabling Environment for Agric Export

Ugo Aliogo

A Director at Zenith Bank Plc, Prof. Oye Ibidapo-Obe has called for the creation of opportunities for the acceptance of the country’s agricultural produce in Europe.

This, he said would make Nigeria’s agricultural produce commercially viable and address challenges in the value chain.

Ibidapo-Obe, disclosed this weekend in Lagos during the Institute of Directors (IoD) 2018 New Members Induction Ceremony with the theme: ‘Our Stochastic World: Measurable Innovations in Nigeria’s Development’.

He urged directors to find a way of improving the quality of the local agriculture produce so that the produce can have direct access to the Euro market.

He expressed displeasure that agriculture produce from Ghana, and other African countries make it to the Euro market, while produce from Nigeria are recognised.

Ibidapo-Obe, charged directors to look beyond low hanging fruits, and think deep about improving the activities in the agriculture value chain.

He expressed confidence that technology, if properly harnessed would play a key role in driving growth in business ecosystem.

“Directors should find a way of improving the quality of our local agriculture produce so that we can have direct access to the Euro market. The directors should beyond low hanging fruits, let them start thinking deep in order to get results. “Technology will make a key in role in driving growth in business ecosystem. When we are voting in elections, let’s talk about people that are innovative. Those that are usually innovative are younger people,” he stated.

In another development, Ibidapo-Obe stated that in order to move forward as a nation, there is need to change the rhetoric and attitudes towards the country.

He added: “The ranking they gave our country in my own estimation is not appropriate. We much better than that. The only reason why they are able to bring us down is because of the things we say about our country.”

Earlier in his remarks, the President, of Council IoD, Alhaji Ahmed Mohammed, noted that improved technology had redefined approaches to business competition, resource management and customer engagement.

He also noted that the future of business has also become less predictable because of the burgeoning impact of disruptive technology, artificial intelligence and digital currencies, amongst other novel interventions that have characterised this digital age.

Mohammed, who was represented by the former President of the Council, IoD Samuel Akuju added: “The implication of this for Directors is that they have to continually engage and increase knowledge to be able to take full advantage of the opportunities provided by digitalisation, while making far-reaching business decisions that sustain their organisations and give competitive edge.