The Provost, Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria, Dr. A.O Owosibo has again reassures that agriculture is the surest way to go to feed our teeming population across all sectors of our life. He made this assertion after the inter school Agricultural Quiz Competition organised by the institution on Thursday, 16th March, 2023,
Dr. Owosibo describes the quiz programme as an agricultural outreach with the view of catching them young as one of the mandate of the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN). “You know we have been saying that agriculture is the most sustainable than oil boom. We must sustain agriculture so that we can feed ourselves.” The Provost went further to explain that the potential benefits of effective agriculture especially in the areas of job creation and exportation of products to earn foreign incomes must not be overlooked. He warned that if we must have food to eat in the future the youths must be seriously involve in agriculture to use the latest technologies to boost farming. He therefore advised that agriculture is one thing we must practise in whatever scale to sustain food production.
He assured that the programme will be sustained and incorporate more schools.
The Provost further stated that the college is working so hard towards achieving its mandate of produce well trained and morally sound graduates who become self-employed in the area of Science and Agriculture; establish linkages and collaboration with other policy makers, research institutes and training institutions; establish and manage modern standard livestock farms, veterinary.
Dr Owosibo used the opportunity to call on all stakeholders to support the college in its drive towards becoming the leading college of Animal Science and Production Technology in Africa.
At the opening ceremony of the historical Agricultural Quiz Competition, the representative of the Provost, Dr Funmilayo Ogunleke, who is the current Deputy Provost Administration commended the adopted schools for their total dedication and zeal towards the success of the Agricultural Quiz Competition.
Dr Ogunleke said the college is planning another big one for the 2023 edition which she stated will be very big as the college has started preparation towards the forth coming 2023 edition of the of the quiz.
Recounting on the significance of the programme, Dr Grace Alonge Oyinlola, Dean School of Agricultural Management and Fisheries who is also the current Director College Extension Services asserted that the drive of the programme goes beyond promoting and boosting reading culture and intellect. “There is also the imperative need to encourage agriculture among the populace as a sure means of feeding the nation and earning a decent living. As part of the mandate of the institute therefore, we are to go out to adopt schools to create awareness of what we do in our immediate environments. We therefore visit schools to introduce Young Farmers Clubs to encourage the young ones to take on the noble profession of agriculture.” She said.
The inter school competition had nine secondary schools in attendance ; which include - Oladipo Alayande School of Science, Our Lady of Apostles School, United Missionary Comprehensive College, Oluyole Community Grammar School, Oluyole Estate Grammar School, All Saints College, Our Lady of Apostle, Urban Day School and Promise Secondary School. The institute had all the representatives of these schools participated in the quiz with certificate of honour and cash prize for the first, second and third winners of the exercise. Among the winner are Blossom Temilola Adeleke Ist Prize Individual from Oladipo Alayande School of Science, Micah Margaret 2nd Individual Prize from United Missionary Comprehensive College and Bolorunduro Oluwadarasinmi 3rd Individual Prize from All Saints College Ibadan.
The high point of the event was the presentation of certificate and cash prize to the overall best secondary school which is Wesley College of Science, Elekuro, Ibadan by the representative of the Provost of FCAH&PTIB, Dr Funmilayo Ogunleke, The United Missionary Comprehensive College came 2nd and Oladipo Alayande School of Science clinched the 3rd Position.
The institute also took the students round their facilities to orientate them about animal husbandry and production technology.
In an interview with CEOAFRICA, Blossom Temilola Adeleke who is the winner of the Ist Prize Individual from Oladipo Alayande School of Science commended the FCAH&PTIB for organizing such a great agricultural quiz competition.
Present at the occasion are The Provost represented by Dr Ogunleke F. O. Deputy Provost Administration, Dr Alonge Grace Oyinlola Dean School of Agricultural Management and Fisheries and also the Director College Extension Services .Dr Owolade E. O. Head of Department Agricultural Extension and Management. Dr Yinka Adedeji Dr Amusa, Alhaji Abdul Fatai Azeez Desk Officer School
Mr Fagbiye Olatade Desk Officer, Village extension , Mr Olaitan Poopoola, Mrs Toyin Olatunde, Mr Raji, Mr Happiness Ojo,Mr Sadeeq ,Mr Taye Adebisi, Dr Koleosho and many others.
