Ondo State Government, on Wednesday, inaugurated the Sunshine Youth Agricultural Empowerment Association, a group of youths involved in different agricultural value chain in the state.
In a speech at the event in Akure, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Forestry, Mr Olayato Aribo, said he was happy that youths were showing interested in going into agriculture “at a time many of them are involved in different vices”.
Aribo described agriculture as “the easiest job” and “one of the easiest ways to get rich quickly”.
He identified the huge gap between the old farmers and current generation as part of the problems hampering the country’s quest to attain food sufficiency.
He, therefore, urged the association to keep the flag flying in their chosen areas of agricultural value chain and assured them of government’s imminent intervention.
“I am happy that all of you cut across all the different value chain of the business.
“I am happy that you came together. Agriculture is the easiest job to do
“If you want to be rich, you have to be self-employed.
“And farming is the first business that was set up by God. The most prominent job in the Bible.
“I will advise you that agriculture is not for lazy men.
“If you want to be in agriculture, you must be genuinely interested.
“Farmers are the greatest people with faith, they believe that there will be good weather, growth and harvest.
“Now that I have seen you, my hope is rekindled, so please don’t disappoint me.
“We will, as a government, try as much as possible to be there for you.
“We must see that you are there. If you are doing very well, intervention will come looking for you.
“We will be happy to use you as an encouragement to others,” Aribo said.
Earlier, the Chairman of the association, Mr Femi Eniola, said It became necessary as youths to speak with one voice, adding that the group posed no threat to any other associations.
Eniola said that the association was going to do what was right, in terms of food production and sufficiency, to put the state on the map of leading food producers in the country.
“We are not here to pose a threat or act as if we don’t know that there are other associations in the state, we only want our voice to be heard.
“And it became necessary to be here and speak with one voice
“We are going to do what is right and will make the state proud,” he said.
Other executive members included Vice President Boluwaji Enahoro, Dr Iredele Sort (Secretary), Kemi Afolabi (Financial Secretary) and Oluwole Olugbode (Welfare Coordinator), amongst others.
