Lagos set to host Maiden International Coconut summit

To eliminate the bottlenecks in the coconut sub-sector, Lagos State Government has planned to host the maiden international Coconut Summit in the country.

According to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Dr. Olayiwole Onasanya, at the inauguration of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) members, the summit was aimed at tapping into the global economic opportunities of the coconut value-chain.

“The achievement of the ministry through the Lagos State Coconut Development Authority (LASCODA) is the rehabilitation of coconut grooves and belts, providing seedlings, empowering coconut processors among others, and partnering with many other agencies.

“These achievements calls for the organisation of the International Coconut Summit, which will be driven by the LOC and hopefully, these references will guide the members.He said the summit will be able to increase awareness and sensitisation on economic potentials of coconut value chain; attracting high net worth investors into coconut value chain; and providing platforms for stakeholders.

“It will also ensure that Nigeria taps from the global economic opportunities of coconut value chain; exposing stakeholders in the coconut value chain in Nigeria to best practices; and boosting the foreign exchange earning of the country through coconut potentials,” he said.

Onasanya also said the state is naturally blessed with coconut resources of 180km coconut belt, two million trees, large domestic and trans-border markets, innumerable coconut value chain actors with a net worth of N100b of trade yearly.

The Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr. Toyin Suarau, who inaugurated the LOC on behalf of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, promised total support to ensure the success of the summit.On his part, the General Manager of LASCODA, Mr. Dapo Olakunlehi said the authority and members of the LOC were ready to work hard to achieve a memorable summit.He also announced October 22-23 as the proposed date of the summit, adding that planning had commenced in earnest.