The 60th anniversary celebration of Cocoa House, Ibadan, climaxed with a major announcement from the Odu’a Investment Company Limited (OICL), signaling a new era of economic revival for the Southwest.
Speaking at the event, the Group Chairman of OICL, Otunba Bimbo Ashiru, emphasized the company’s renewed focus on agriculture, which he described as a step toward reclaiming Nigeria’s historic position in the global cocoa market.
“Nigeria used to be the second largest exporter of cocoa in the world, and we are bringing that back,” Ashiru said. “We want to keep the legacy of our forefathers well. Our focus is now on agriculture, and we have signed over ₦10 billion deal with Sterling Export, the largest exporter of cocoa in Africa.”
In addition to its agricultural drive, Ashiru disclosed that the company is set to unveil another milestone early next year when President Bola Tinubu is expected to commission the newly upgraded Premier Hotel. The historic hospitality establishment, one of OICL’s flagship investments, has undergone a major facelift, including the expansion of its capacity from 87 rooms to 105.
The announcement underscored OICL’s commitment to revamping its heritage assets while creating new opportunities for economic growth in the Southwest region and beyond.
