‘Agric,veritable panacea for youth unemployment’

From Akinnodi Francis, Ore
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A cleric, Alhaji Abdulrasheed Akanfe has said that agriculture  remained   the only veritable alternative for engaging youths productively, especially at the grassroots.

Akanfe who  made the observation during an interview with The Hope in Ore,  urged  government at all levels  to  introduce  mechanised farming to attract youths into the sector.

He said embarking on such venture would boost  governments  efforts toward diversifying the state and the country’s economy from oil to agric based.

According to him, government has been paying lip service towards fully transforming agriculture to attract the youths both as a career and vocation.

“A situation where farmers could not boast of a tractor to develop agriculture at the grassroots is not good. This does not show the commitment  of government in that regard.

Akanfe, who is the Chief Imam of Islaudeen Central Mosque, Ore called on the newly elected leaders in the state to channel adequate resources towards making farming attractive to the youths.

He however advised governments at all tiers to increase funding for agriculture, adding that over- dependence on oil could not achieve the desired socio-economic development for the country.

He stressed that such intervention would  enhance the nation’s growth and economic diversification.

According to him, youths as  leaders  of tomorrow have  formidable roles to play in the government’s efforts at  diversifying  the economy.

He said  transforming agriculture requires collective responsibility of all stakeholders to achieve the desired results.

He further stressed the need for re-ordering of priorities by the federal, state and local governments to adequately tackle the nation’s food insufficiency.

He said  the problem was compounded as most youths empowerment initiatives were concentrated on distribution of motorcycles and  grinding machines with less regard for agriculture at the grassroots.

“The agric villages across the state especially in Ore should be put to proper use by engaging the youths, it will reduce crimes”, Akanfe stressed.