RemoGDF, RYA Celebrates International Youth Day with Focus on Agricultural Innovation

By: Emmanuel Ibitoye

International Youth Day was celebrated in grand style in Remo, Ogun State, as the Remo Youth Association and Remo Growth and Development Foundation (RGDF) hosted a program themed “Transforming Food Systems: Youth Innovation for Human and Planetary Health.”

The event, held on August 12, 2024, was a gathering of dignitaries, including Ogun State Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun, Commissioner for Environment Ola Oresanya, traditional leaders, and stakeholders in Remo youth education, empowerment, and development.

The program featured a panel discussion on how youth can embrace agriculture, with speakers emphasizing the need for innovative solutions to transform food systems. Dr. Opeyemi Agbato, Head of Agriculture Directorate, noted, “Agriculture doesn’t only mean subsistence farming; it encompasses various fields like engineering and economics.” He encouraged the youth to explore the diverse opportunities in agriculture, saying, “Youth can be involved in agricultural production, processing, and marketing.”

Dr. Angel, a panelist, advised the youths to take advantage of the government’s initiatives, saying, “There’s been a trust fund for agriculture empowerment with a sum of 100 billion Naira, and over 100,000 youths have already applied.” She guided them on how to access farmlands and grants, saying, “Visit the website of the Ministry of Agriculture to apply for the grant and farmlands. You can also approach local authorities, such as kings, to inquire about idle lands that can be used for farming.”

Mrs. Ronke Soyombo, Speaker and Head of Youth Education and Empowerment, announced the creation of a WhatsApp channel aimed at connecting Remo youth and maintaining communication, saying, “This initiative will keep the youth in unity and facilitate further discussion on the topics raised during the event.” She emphasized the importance of youth participation in agriculture, saying, “Youth are the future of agriculture, and we must empower them to take the lead.”

Ogun State Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun delivered a reassuring speech, emphasizing the government’s commitment to youth empowerment, saying, “We will continue to work with you. Learn from Samson (CEO of Soilest Farm Laboratory) and Dr. Opeyemi Agbato… We will grow what we eat in Ogun State and Nigeria and eat what we grow.” He highlighted several initiatives that’d been geared towards youth empowerment and development, including the Ogun EduCARE Program, which provided support to 100,000 indigent students, and this time, a new program, the Ogun Youth Agriculture Empowerment program, is set to launch in the upcoming weeks.

Governor Abiodun also announced the replication of the Soilest Farm Laboratory model in Remo, which will employ 2000 youths every three months with full government support in funding and sustaining the employed youths on the farm. He emphasized the government’s commitment to buying all produce from the farm, ensuring a market for the youth’s products. The governor also launched a fertilizer program, providing 24,000 fertilizers to 12,000 farmers, and assured the youth of continued support.

The governor expressed appreciation to the organisers of the event, the kings, stakeholders, youths, and students present as he signed off with “Thank you for listening to me and God bless you”.