For Nigeria to have a sufficient food and food security former president Olusegun Obasanjo has called for increased participation of Youths in the Agricultural sector
The ex president who is also a farmer said peace and security, quality leadership and favourable government policies on agric sector will not only enhance their particiation in the sector but also create more jobs, reduce poverty and boost development
” We cannot be talking of food security when we don’t have security, quality local leadership, accessibility to the farmlands and other basic needs to help agriculture all this put together will encourage farmers to work not only for the ones to eat but to export as well
Obasanjo who was a guest speaker at the Oke Ogun Youth Agric Summit disclosed that he initiated Ogun Osun River Basin, Badagry – Sokoto road, Ikere Gorge dam and others projects to open up oke Ogun and other part of Nigeria to boost agriculture “But unfortunately there was no follow up, he lamented
Although he said Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo the state has assured him that he would fix infrastructures and road to ensure maximum potential of Ikere gorge dam is utilized but the former president said the projects will not only boost agriculture but also generate electricity and water supply to other part of the wester region.
In a bid to encourage youth participation, the former president however released 500 acres of farmland for the youths in Shina farms along Oyo-iseyin road.
Coroborating Obasanjo’s claims, Mr Adeniji Kolawole of Niji Farms said the government policies on agriculture should be designed in such a way that it would enhance more participation in the sector
Niji said proper education on Agric business, mechanized farming and provision of basic infrastructures and amenities will enhance food security
He offered to assist the youth through training , as off takers of thier produce and facilitating financial loans through banks to boost thier interest
Also the former Minister of Agriculture, Otunba Bamidele Dada on his remark said the youth should form a strong collaborations and alliances with both local and internation agencies for more support
The chairman , South West Security Network Codenamed Amotekun, Togun while speaking on security and agriculture in Oke Ogun cautioned traditional rulers from selling land to the non yoruba in their domain
Gen Togun said ” War is looming the bororo’s who are killing and attacking our people are not Nigerians and their mission is to capture the yorubaland because they see it as their inheritance from Allah which they must conquered by all means .
Ahmed Raji SAN in his speech lamented the urban -rural migration and the level of importation of what ordinarily should be produced at local level, ” The business aspect of Agriculture should be explore to its fullest so as to create wealth, food security, regional development and a sense of fulfilment from choosing agriculture as a profession..
Bola Olalere, the cordinator of Oke Ogun Youths Association while welcoming guest explained that the rational behind the summit is to enlighten and encourage the you generations on the important of Agric business and the need to tap from its immense benefits” There is prosperity on our lands and by the Grace of olodumare, and help of the peoppe we shall unearth these prosperity to the greater good of our community and humanity in general”
Other guest at the event includes Aseyin of Iseyin Oba Abdulganiy Ologunebi Ajinese 1, Onjonof Okeho, Alado of Ado Awaye, otunba Oyewole Fasawe, Senator Buharo Abdulfatai and others
