AGF Symposium: Sen Omoworare Identifies Synergy Of Agriculture, Education As Panacea For Economy Sustainability

By Ayobami Agboola, Osogbo

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges, Senator Babajide Omoworare has identified proper synergy between Agriculture and Education as the only practical measure to develop a sustainable economy for Nigeria.

Speaking at a symposium  organised by the Asiwaju Grassroots  Foundation, AGF in Osogbo, Senator Omoworare explained that for Agriculture to make meaningful impact, it must not only be mechanized, but farmers must also be made to stay on the farm.

To achieve this therefore, he called for the establishment of farm settlements in all senatorial districts of the states across the Federation, which must be occupied by young people.

The legislator stated further that the farm settlement concepts should also incorporate training of the young farmers in new skills, improved seedlings and mordern method of Agricultural practices.

Senator Babajide Omoworare

Senator Omoworare also emphasised the revisiting of the Aforestation policy of the then western region government.

The legislator added that processing and manufacturing must be incorporated into Agricultural practice in Nigeria as it remains the only way the nation could take advantage of it’s abundant natural endowment.

He advocated investment in small scale industry, which he pointed out as the only measure to develop the informal sector and get more people involved in economic production.

For Senator Omoworare, the nations education system must be directed to focus on Science ,Technology ,Engineering and Mathematics, STEM in order to produce the manpower required to run the industrial economy.

A Cross Section of AGF members At the Symposium

Speaking on the coming gubernatorial election, Omoworare who among the 29 aspirants jostling for governorship position on the platform of APC charged people of the state to make sure APC remain in government beyond November 27, so as to build on good legacy of the present administration in the state.

Omoworare noted that continuity would assist the next administration to accomplish more, as the present administration under the leadership of Governor Rauf Aregbesola, has opened up numerous infrastructural development in the state.

He lauded Aregbesola on the creation of farms settlement in the state, the development which according to him has boosted the economic of the state and reduced unemployment rate compare to other state.

Speaking, the National Publicity Secretary of AGF, Comrade Adeboye Adebayo said the symposium was organised to discuss on how the state could be move to the next level.

Adebayo said, the present government under the watch of Aregbesola has set the pace for other governors to emulate, saying he has brought unprecedented development to the state within the space of seven and half years.

Com Adeboye Adebayo, AGF, National Publicity Secretary

He said, the group believe in true democracy and political ideology  of the national leader of APC Asiwaju Bola Tinubu whom he said has contributed immensely towards the sustainability of Nigerian democracy.

Adebayo, however, enjoined the incoming government to give priority to agriculture by providing  farm mechanism to farmers and to establish farms settlement that would create more job for youths so as to make Osun become basket of food for South West of Nigeria.

Participants

According to him, “Osun towards industrialization, sustainable jobs provision and self sufficiency as the theme of the program, Governor Rauf Aregbesola has provided infrastructure foundation for who ever that take over from him.

“In Lagos state, Asiwaju Bola Hammed Tinubu laid infrastructure foundation that Babatunde Raji Fashola and governor Akinwumi Ambode are building on that is example of what Aregbesola has done. Aregbesola has lay the template that would be built upon.

“There must be continuity in government otherwise the good structure that is being laid down would be wasted.

“The next thing for us in Osun is to work towards economic of the state, we need to build on our small scales industry for the betterment of the people to ensure that the development spread over  the grassroots.

“Aregbesola has done so much interms of provision of adequate security of life and properties, provision of good health services delivery, construction of roads across the state, building of state-of-the-art classrooms among other laudable achievements.”