By Akinnodi Francis, Ondo

Nigerian youths have once again been urged to take the lead in combating food insecurity by directing their energy towards exploring the potential of agriculture to boost food production in the country.

They were also encouraged to adopt healthy habits that promote a sustainable environment and help mitigate the effects of climate change, which negatively impact agricultural production.

The Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. (Chief) Olamide Oladiji, gave the advice when the Ondo East Youth Council paid him a visit in his office in Akure.

Oladiji, while reassuring his commitment to the youth council, urged them to shun anti-social vices such as internet scams, drug use, and substance abuse, and to focus on using their energy productively to enhance food production.

He urged the youth to rise above the challenges presented by the country and strive for greatness.

He said, “You can always draw inspiration from the leaders who have identified with you as a community. I have always been with the youths and I will continue to support them. You too must aim for progress and greater heights by identifying with the people in the rural communities of Ondo East; this is the only way to liberate them.

“You must join efforts to tackle the prevailing hunger by embracing agriculture. It is time for our youth to channel their productive energy to overcome the food crisis in the country.

“Agriculture is the way forward and as youths, you must all key into it for a better future. In my own capacity, I will continue to engage and involve the youths in governance.

“I want to urge you all to go back to your wards and identify with the grassroots. Don’t stay away from them. Ondo East must develop, and the liberation must start now. All stakeholders must come together, be on the same page, and focus on development.”

He urged the youth to stop viewing agricultural practices as unclean and to embrace even small-scale farming to support the contributions of larger farmers.

He said, “In Nigeria, transforming our food systems is essential for enhancing food security. Central to this transformation is the concept of ‘farming what one can eat.’”

The Speaker, who is representing the Ondo East constituency, also said he would partner with the youth council to renovate five rural schools in the area. He urged the council to move around and come up with a list of the schools due for renovation.

Earlier, the President of the Ondo East Youth Council, Comrade Tomide Akinkuolie, while presenting the new executives of the council to the Speaker, said the council would be cultivating 10 hectares of land for cassava within the local government area.

Speaking on the initiative, Akinkuolie said the move was aimed at engaging youths in agriculture and tackling the growing hunger in the land.

He appreciated the Speaker for always identifying with the council and urged him to do more to uplift the status of the youth council.

“We want to thank you especially, sir, for the new appointment given to our former youth president, Comrade Michael Awoniyi, as your new Chief of Staff and for the numerous other appointments you have given to youths. We are grateful, sir.

“The council has met with several political leaders from the area to seek their support in moving the council and local government forward. Major parts of our programmes include agriculture, education, health, and welfare, and we are seeking your total support in all these areas.”

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

Akinkuolie said by aligning agricultural practices with local consumption needs, Nigeria can harness its rich agricultural potential more effectively.

“This approach reduces reliance on imported food, supports local economies, and promotes healthier diets.”he noted