By Akinnodi Francis, Ondo

Stakeholders in the agricultural sector have been urged to engage government authorities in promoting youth participation in farming to boost food sufficiency across the country.

The Ondo East Youth Council made the call while speaking with Weekend Hope on their plan to cultivate about 10 hectares of land within the local government area.

Speaking on the initiative, the President of the Youth Council, Comrade Tomide Akinkuolie, said the move was aimed at engaging youths in agriculture and tackling the growing hunger in the land.

He appealed to political leaders and well-meaning individuals to support the programme in order to strengthen the agricultural value chain in the area.

“We want to appreciate the House of Representatives member representing Ondo East and West Federal Constituency, Dr. Abiola Peter Makinde, for donating ₦1,000,000 to support the youth agriculture initiative in Ondo East. He has also pledged to assist with the acquisition of a tractor to enhance our farming activities.

“He made the donation during our courtesy visit to him. In addition, he presented the Youth Council with complete cassava processing equipment, with the instruction that it be used by community members for a fee, which will be deposited into the Council’s union account,” he said.

Akinkuolie further commended Makinde for his consistent support towards the development of Ondo East Local Government and for his laudable representation of the people of Ondo East and West at the National Assembly.

He acknowledged the lawmaker’s numerous developmental contributions to the constituency and appealed to him to further assist the youths and the community in several key areas.

These include education development, healthcare infrastructure, empowerment of the vulnerable, inclusion of Ondo East Youth Council in government programmes, establishment of a CBT centre in Ondo East, procurement of a union bus, support for agricultural initiatives, and sponsorship of youths for overseas studies.

The youth leader charged Makinde to continue with his people-centred style of representation.

In his response, Makinde, while appreciating the Council’s visit, lauded their proactive approach to development, urging them to prioritise community advancement over politics.

He reeled out some of the key projects and bills he had championed at the National Assembly, including the upgrading of Adeyemi College of Education to a University of Education, the dualisation of Ore–Akure Road, and the construction of various roads within the constituency.

He welcomed all the requests presented by the Council and promised to do his utmost to uplift the status of the local government.

“I have promised to facilitate the establishment of a Federal Medical Centre (FMC) or a General Hospital in Ondo East in collaboration with state or federal authorities. I have also pledged to extend my empowerment programmes to Ondo East,” he assured.

On the request for a CBT centre, Hon. Makinde requested that a formal proposal be submitted, assuring that a union bus would be delivered to the Youth Council by the end of July 2025.

“I will continue to support youth overseas scholarships to build their capacity. I also promise to work towards the construction of a mini stadium in Ondo East to promote sports and youth engagement.

“Submit a building proposal for teachers’ accommodation in Ondo East, and I will support it,” he pledged.