Inducts students into Young Farmers Club

Wife of Lagos State Governor, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, has advised Nigerians to find ways of making agriculture attractive, innovative and sustainable for younger generations despite the challenges of modernisation and rapid urbanisation.

Sanwo-Olu, who gave the advice, yesterday, as the Special Guest of Honour at the Lagos Agric Scholars Quiz Competition and induction of students into the Young Farmers Club, under the Renewed Hope Initiative, held at Alausa, said that by reviving the culture of farming in schools, children would be inspired to see farming not just as a profession, but also as a key driver of economic diversification and national development.

The governor’s wife noted that the renewed hope initiative is a testament to the unwavering commitment of the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, to improving the lives of families and future generations across various sectors, including fashion, empowerment, agriculture, among others.

She added that introducing these young learners to home farming through the Young Farmers Club is a way of investing the children through agriculture. She added that with the initiative, the First Lady is not just planting seeds in the soil, but also sowing seeds of hope, resilience, and economic prosperity for the nation.

“Agriculture, as we all know, remains the backbone of Nigeria’s economy. It has sustained our nation for decades by providing food, employment, and raw materials for industry.

“However, despite modernisation and rapid urbanisation, it is vital for us to continue finding ways to make agriculture attractive, innovative, and sustainable for the younger generation. This is where the Young Farmers Club plays a pivotal role.”

Earlier in her welcome address, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Abisola Olusanya, said that through the renewed hope initiative, there is a place and role for the children in agriculture and food systems.

She said if the pupils are serious and committed, they are assured of making money through agriculture and can give back to the society by focusing mainly on the lucrative sector.