The Honourable representing Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo and Odigbo Federal Constituency, Ondo, Hon Mayowa Akinfolarin has partnered Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology, Ibadan for empowerment training programme in his constituencies through Capacity building and empowerment of youth in Agricultural value chains. The empowerment training which was organised in conjunction with the Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology, is organised to enhance food security.
The 5Day workshop which held from 5th – 9th December, at Ile Oluji/ Oke Igbo and Odigbo Federal constituency in Ondo state, to empower youths with modern techniques in soybeans, plantain and maize production; had about 200 participants drawn across the federal constituency.
Welcoming the participants to the training programme, the lawmaker representing the Federal Constituency, Hon. Mayowa Akinfolarin, appreciated the efforts of Federal Government and FCAH&PT for cooperating with him to the laudable programme to his constituency to empower his people. He used the opportunity to encourage participants to make proper use of the opportunity given to them; assuring that this is the beginning of greater things to come. Hon. Mayowa Akinfolarin who is highly endeared to his people in Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo and Odigbo Federal Constituency, is well reputed for his unprecedented records. He has been able to bridge the gap between the rich and the poor among his people by setting up laudable opportunities which went a long way in helping his people becoming financially independent.
Speaking with CEOAfrica about the event, the people’s representative, Hon. Mayowa Akinfolarin centred the empowerment programme as imperative to the survival of his people. “One sector that we must not take for granted now is agriculture. That is one area that guaranteed food security to our people. If my people can feed well, then they can thrive in other areas of endeavour. This training programme therefore will go a long way to empower our youths not only to develop a sense of independence, but also help put food on people’s  table. This is a poverty alleviation programme for the people of the constituency.” He said.
The Provost of the Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology, Dr. Adekoya Olatunde Owosibo, appreciated the efforts of the Federal Government of Nigeria in the area of agricultural empowerment. He harps on the importance of agriculture as a reliable source of foreign exchange if properly harness. He further asserted that in the 60s before the discovery of petroleum, agriculture was Nigeria’s means of sustenance and therefore urged participants to take the training very serious as agriculture remains the future of Nigeria.
Justifying the reason for the concentration on plantain, soybeans and Maize value chains, the Provost, noted that the indigenes of the constituency are predominantly farmers and the aforementioned crops are the major crops found and planted in the constituency hence, there is need for training of the farmers on modern techniques in production, processing and marketing.