President Bola Tinubu met with his Sierra Leonean counterpart, Julius Maada Bio, at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja. Bio arrived at the forecourt of the Villa, accompanied by the ceremonial bagpipers of the Presidential Guards Brigade. He was received by the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, before proceeding to a closed-door meeting with Tinubu.
The discussions between the two leaders centered on strengthening bilateral relations and advancing regional prosperity within the West African bloc. Bio, who is in Nigeria as part of his efforts to drive Sierra Leone’s agricultural transformation, expressed his appreciation for the warm reception from President Tinubu, calling it a testament to African hospitality.
Following his meeting in Abuja, the Sierra Leonean President traveled to Ibadan, where he will engage with experts at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA). He described the visit as an opportunity to explore cutting-edge agricultural technologies and public-private partnerships that could accelerate the implementation of his Feed Salone agenda.
“As my government strives to fulfill the Feed Salone agenda, I am excited to be here at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) to discover the potential of advanced technologies and public-private partnerships that could drive our nation’s agricultural revolution,” Bio stated.
He emphasized the importance of collaboration in achieving sustainable agricultural development, expressing optimism about the transformative impact of strategic alliances.
“I believe that with the right collaborations in place, we can soon transform our ambitions into tangible actions, leading to impactful changes for our continent’s future. The possibilities ahead are promising, and I am excited about what we can achieve together,” he added.
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Upon his arrival in Ibadan, Bio reaffirmed his commitment to exploring partnerships, fostering innovation, and mobilizing resources to advance Sierra Leone’s agricultural sector.
“I arrived in Ibadan this evening! In the upcoming days at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), I will be focusing on exploring potential partnerships, fostering innovation, and mobilizing resources to accelerate our Feed Salone Programme. I can’t wait to see what opportunities lie ahead!” he stated.
Bio’s visit to Nigeria underscores the growing importance of regional cooperation in addressing food security and economic development in West Africa.
