Rector urges government, others to create jobs through agriculture

Rector of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta (MAPOLY), Dr Adeola Odedina, has urged the government at all levels and corporate bodies to exploit the opportunities available in agriculture to tackle unemployment and youth restiveness in the country.

Odedina said this at the while receiving the Outstanding Provost in Nigeria award from the South West Heralds Magazine in Akure.

He lamented that despite the frantic efforts put in place by the Federal Government to diversify into agriculture, several state governments and corporate organisations had not maximally utilized the opportunities.

The rector noted that the value chain opportunities in agriculture offer attractive vocations and gains for the youth, rather than engaging themselves in activities that further jeopardise the peace of the nation.

He said youths are taking new carrier in agriculture, “but the gap is that we don’t have enough youths taking up these opportunities to create prosperity.

Dr. Odedina also advocated for a strong synergy to create models and mentorship among the youths who could be inspired by the success stories of others, thereby making agriculture more attractive.

The Deji of Akure, Oba Aladelusi Aladetoyinbo, among other dignitaries at the occasion, implored the Federal Government to upgrade Federal College of Agriculture (FECA) to a university status so as to maximise the full potential of agriculture for development.