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From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
In a move to bolster Nigeria’s agricultural sector, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, on Tuesday inaugurated the Young Farmers Club in Abuja, welcoming its first 240 members.
In a statement issued by her aide Busola Kukoyi, this initiative, a collaboration between the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and her pet project, Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), aims to engage young people early, instilling a passion for farming and modern agricultural practices.
She noted that the event marks a pivotal step in addressing Nigeria’s food security challenges by encouraging youth involvement in agriculture. “The goal of the Young Farmers Club is to ‘catch them young’ by making farming more appealing to students,” said Mrs Tinubu. She emphasized that the club is not merely about teaching farming techniques but nurturing a generation capable of transforming Nigeria’s agricultural landscape. This aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision of ensuring self-sufficiency in food production.
Historically, agriculture has been the backbone of Nigeria’s economy, providing livelihoods for millions. However, there has been a growing perception among youth that farming is an outdated profession.
The First Lady quoted Thomas Jefferson, stating, “Agriculture is our wisest pursuit, because it will in the end contribute most to real wealth, good morals, and happiness.”
She added that the initiative seeks to change that narrative by illustrating farming as a viable and rewarding career path.
The Young Farmers Club will be established in selected pilot schools across the Federal Capital Territory, with plans for nationwide expansion.
Mrs Tinubu invited schools throughout Nigeria to register with their respective State First Ladies to participate in this transformative program.
Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari underscored the importance of this initiative in fostering interest in agriculture among youth. He urged inductees to take pride in their roles as future leaders responsible for feeding the nation.
During the ceremony, new members donned their club uniforms and took an oath of commitment. They received membership cards and essential farming tools from the First Lady.
Wife of the Kwara State Governor, Olufolake Abdulrazaq, accepted samples of materials on behalf of other state governors’ wives as part of plans to replicate the club across various states.
This initiative not only aims to enhance agricultural productivity but also seeks to create employment opportunities for Nigeria’s burgeoning youth population while contributing to economic diversification.