Lagos First Lady Highlights Role of Youth in Revamping Agriculture as Oriwu Grammar School Wins Scholars Quiz Competition

Lagos First Lady Highlights Role of Youth in Revamping Agriculture as Oriwu Grammar School Wins Scholars Quiz Competition

The First Lady of Lagos State, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, has expressed confidence in the youth's potential to reshape Nigeria’s agriculture sector. Speaking at the Scholars Quiz Competition and Young Farmers' Club Induction, held in commemoration of World Food Day at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa, Ikeja, she emphasized that young people must view themselves as key players in transforming the nation through innovation and hard work.

Dr. Sanwo-Olu encouraged members of the Young Farmers' Club to prepare for a journey that would benefit not only them but the entire country, stressing that agriculture is central to Nigeria's economy by providing food, jobs, and raw materials for industry. 

The First Lady noted that the **Renewed Hope Initiative**, spearheaded by Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, is dedicated to improving lives across various sectors, including agriculture. Dr. Sanwo-Olu praised the initiative of involving students in home farming through the Young Farmers' Club, which she said is a way of planting "seeds of hope, resilience, and economic prosperity" in the younger generation.

As she inducted students into the Young Farmers’ Club, Dr. Sanwo-Olu expressed optimism that these young minds would tackle issues such as food insecurity, climate change, and unemployment by embracing agriculture as both a business and a tool for nation-building.

The Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture was commended for its efforts in celebrating World Food Day. Dr. Sanwo-Olu affirmed Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu's commitment to supporting youth involvement in agriculture by providing opportunities and resources to help them thrive in the sector. 

She also expressed hope that the star prize winner of N20 million in the ongoing "Every Home A Garden" competition, launched by Senator Oluremi Tinubu, would emerge from Lagos, noting that the state had already submitted its entry. The competition aims to encourage households to adopt gardening practices.

In his remarks, the Lagos State Head of Service, Bode Agoro, urged civil servants to engage in farming, a practice permitted under civil service rules. He also encouraged students to start farming early, stating that it requires minimal financial investment.

The Lagos State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Ms. Abisola Olusanya, assured students of the opportunities to generate significant revenue from agriculture, while commending Dr. Sanwo-Olu for her support of the Young Farmers' Club.

Mrs. Anike Adekanye, the Tutor-General of Education District 2, praised the state for recent educational achievements, including winning top awards for Best Teacher and Best Student in Nigeria. She also thanked the Governor for promoting students' participation in farming initiatives.

In a goodwill message, Mrs. Omolara Folashade, a director from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, shared her own experience as a farmer and encouraged others to take pride in the profession.

Outgoing Agriculture Ambassador, Klistiwedo Hunpe, highlighted the agricultural sector’s potential to move the nation forward, sharing that she now grows much of the food her family consumes and encouraging others to do the same for financial savings and healthier living.

At the end of the quiz competition, Oriwu Grammar School, Ikorodu, emerged as the overall winner, followed by Anthony Village Senior High School in second place, and Holy Child College, Ikoyi, in third. All winning schools received valuable prizes.

The grand finale of this year's World Food Day, themed "Right to Foods for a Better Life and Better Future," is scheduled to take place on October 16th at the Police College, Ikeja.