By Olusegun Haastrup
Nigerian youths mwust see themselves as important agents needed for the revival of the nation’s economy.
Iyalode of Ojodu Kingdom and Agro business expert, Mrs.
Yetunde Babajide, stated this at an Agricultural training and exhibition organised by Itire-Ikate Local Council Development Area, in Surulere, Lagos
Mrs Babajide said youths need to be focused and deliberate about their future, as well as consistent, in the strive to make a living from legitimate ventures.
The livestock entrepreneur while illustrating the procedure from the farm to the market called on young people to
be productively busy at all times, in order to remain economically stable.
“In this time, you cannot survive on one source of income,you can do businesses that are of the same line. Agriculture is a viable business, that is a good source of income, and also solving the problem of food scarcity in your community” Mrs. Babajide added
In a remark, the Coordinator, National Youth Council of Nigeria,, Itire-Ikate chapter, Comrade Ayodele Oshodi who said it had become obvious that the economy cannot survive without the youths venturing in Agriculture, called on young adults to take advantage of opportunities made available by government in the sector.
Comrade Oshodi stated that “The youths should stop this get rich quick syndrome and focus on legitimate ways of meeting their basic needs. Agriculture is the profession that our majority of our fathers were doing before the oil was discovered, and it is time for we to go back to the farm”
Start-up grants were given to some of the participants, courtesy of a non-government organisation known as New Dawn Humanitarian Foundation, which offers cash grants to registered farmers,
According to Surulere local government representative of the NGO, Ms Olayemi Lajiwuni, the organisation, affiliated to international bodies is interested in encouraging young people to take advantage of the benefits in Agriculture.
“The process is very easy, needing just a inspection of the farm and paper work.We give minimum of one million for individual, but for organisation, we give minimum of three million” Ms. Lajiwuni said.
The event put together to commemorate International Youths Day
witnessed practical lessons on farming, registration and packaging of farm products.
