Former Nigerian Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon and the President of African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr Akinwunmi Adesina have tasked youths on the importance of venturing into agriculture and the agro-business as a channel to re-vitalize the current economic situation of the country.
The leaders gave this charge on Monday 26th July, 2017 at the 50th anniversary of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) to commemorate years of agricultural innovations built to address Africa’s most pressing challenges. The event was also aimed at promoting Agripeneurs and investing in youth.
The event which was held at the conference center IITA, witnessed the presence of dignitaries from various walks of life including; Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Former Head of State, Gen Yakubu Gowon, President of African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr. Akinwumi .A. Adesina , the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji and a host of other personalities.
Speaking with journalists during the programme, Gen. Yakubu Gowon commended the effort of the workers and directors of IITA who for the past 50 years have driven the wheels of IITA to a height of success. He added that this level of success is incomparable to how IITA began owing to the fact that IITA began far back in the 70’s with a thick forest and a signboard as a means of identification compared with the massive structure it has in this present era.
He also mentioned that Dr. Adesina cannot be forgotten in the history of agriculture because of his enormous achievement during his time as the minister for agriculture at the federal level. Gowon said “I have confidence in Nigeria youths that they will take over and carry on our legacy and make us proud.”
Dr Adesina delivered a speech at the commissioning of the Akinwumi Adesina Agripeneurs Building where he said there is need for youth investment which leads to smart economics thereby enhancing the economy growth today and in the future.
Dr. Adesina gave his congratulatory remarks to IITA on its 50th anniversary. “I am also happy for the opportunity giving to me to lend my name to the agripreneurs building for the young agripreneurs to learn, serve, launch their own business and also earn a living for themselves.”
“I believe in the power of ideas and the passion to turn some ideas into reality. I also believe in the power of strong vision, vision so strong that even bulldozers cannot bring down.”
“Therefore the future of the African youth does not lie at the bottom of the Mediterranean Sea neither does it lies in the heat of savannah desert but in a more prosperous Africa with inclusive growth. Their future lies in a new journey, one towards unlocking tremendous opportunity in agriculture,” he said.
The president of AfDB said that he has taken agriculture as center in Africa economic growth development and as a result of this; the AfDB will invest $24b into agriculture for the next 10years which is 400% over what was being done before. The bank will focus on the agricultural value chain, agro industrial development and the key component to that is called “how do we create young generation of commercial farmers?” he queried.
In addition, he said “AfDB is set to move from its investment in 8 countries into 15 countries for agripreneurs growth and this deserve the support of the public which includes the private sector.
“The young Agripeneurs have set sail for a better future; let us put wheels behind their sail and change the lenses through which we see agriculture, because agriculture is not a way of life neither is it a development activities but agriculture is a business.”
His advice for the African government is that they should prioritize investments in the youth and future.
