The Executive Director, Cocoa Reseasrch Institute of Nigeria (CRIN), Dr Patrick Adebola, has stressed the need for the elderly generation to adopt the modern Information and Communication Technology (ICT) facilities, while encouraging the youths to embrace farming.
Represented by Dr Rotimi Ipinmiroti,  Dr Adebola said that such embrace of modern technology will not only appeal to the youth, but will also promote productivity and easier transference of knowledge, from one generation to the other.
The Director, who spoke on the topic, “Promoting Agriculture through Intergenerational Dialogue” made this call at an international event, launched by Pope Francis and contextualised in Nigeria by the Studentate Dominican Province of St Joseph the Worker (Nigeria and Ghana), in collaboration with the Student Christian Movement (SCM), held at the Dominican University, Ibadan.
“We are here to sensitize all, especially, the youths to embrace agriculture as a major profession to economic sustainability for the individual and the nation. This statement is substantiated by the fact that most of our leaders of thought are fulfilled practicing agriculturists, it therefore behooves on the older generations to encourage the younger ones in the language they will understand by using available ICT media, for them to embrace agriculture as a noble profession.”
The research icon, whose love for agriculture and plant sciences is second to none, highlighted some of the challenges that have plagued agricultural sector in the country over the years, which include inconsistent government policies, land tenure system, educational policies, indigenous technology among others.
The event had in attendance, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who doubles as the Founder, Otta Farm in Ogun state, Oyo State Governor, Engr Seyi Makinde, Hon. Adeniyi Adebisi, Oyo State Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Hon. Asiwaju Seun Fakorede, Oyo State Commissioner for Youth and Sport among others.
Known, as Economy of Francesco (EoF) and launched two years ago by Pope to promote economy, by celebrating youths who have made impact in economics, research, technology to mention a few, the occasion is an annual event; Pope Francis (1) is expected to address the world tomorrow, Saturday 24th September.
This year’s edition is nicknamed “Agriculture and Justice” and tagged “Make it Local”; it aims to bridge the generational gap between the youths and the veterans, with focus on agriculture.