Ooni endorses agric training for 6,000 young people in South-West

 In a bid to play a central role in rekindling hope for greater tomorrow among young people living in South West states, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ooni of Ife, has endorsed the Ojaja II National Image Sustainable Agricultural Empowerment Training Scheme for over 6,000 young persons.

Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi
Ooni of Ife, Ojaja II

The Oba who disclosed this in a letter of approval to the organizers of the scheme said the project is being organized at a time when young people in the region are disillusioned and lack adequate attention.

“My passion for the Yoruba youth; the future and sustainable asset of the south west states, is strong and I am determined and ready to work with you and I am most impressed with your comprehensive understanding of the scope of the empowerment project and exertion to train six million less-privileged in basic agriculture skills.

“I hope this is just the beginning of a long and jointly valuable relationship,” he said.

Mr. Seyi Bamigbade, General Coordinator of the programme, said the sustainable agricultural empowerment training with the theme of “Agriculture Development: Panacea to economic growth and Employment Generation” is in line with Federal Government’s agenda for employment creation, economic empowerment and self-sufficiency.

The training will kick off in Osun State before moving to other South West states.

Bamigbade said “The objective of the three-day Agri-preneurs scheme is to train six million less-privileged in basic agriculture skills, liaise with other youth groups, and solicit their involvement as potential out-growers and satellite agribusinesses.

“As Agripreneurs develop expertise in various business operations, they are encouraged and assisted to develop detailed business plans and loan applications for submission to commercial lenders. Departure packages may be arranged for the most promising of these ventures to assist in start-ups and improve their credit-worthiness, depending upon the availability of funds.

“These spin-off agribusinesses generate employment and link to out-growers and markets forged by the Agripreneurs, stimulating positive feedback within the larger farming community,” he stated.

He added that “Our organising committee, in full endorsement and partnership with the Federal Institute of Industrial Research (FIIRO Consult), Nigerian Youth Parliament, FADAMA II, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (SMEDAN), Agripreneurs, Media Community and Agro Exporters,” he said.


Participants will undergo training in cassava flour production, rice production, wheat processing, fish farming, mechanized garri production and edible mushroom production, among others.

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