First Lady inaugurates Young Farmers Club, Nigeria
By Kunle Sanni
Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu has flagged off the inaugural ceremony for the first 240 members of the Young Farmers Club, an initiative which aims to engage young people early on to instill a passion for agriculture and farming.
The event which took place in Abuja on Tuesday, marked the official launch of the Club, a collaborative effort between the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI).
“The goal of the Young Farmers Club, Nigeria is to ‘catch them young’ by making farming more appealing to students. We are not only teaching them how to farm but also nurturing a generation that will revolutionize our agricultural sector, adopt modern farming techniques, and ensure that Nigeria remains self-sufficient in food production. This aligns with the food security objectives of the administration of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR,” the First Lady stated.
She emphasized that by establishing the club in various schools across Nigeria, it will help students understand that farming is not merely an occupation but a way of life that can generate employment opportunities for the youth and contribute to economic diversification.
Quoting Thomas Jefferson, the third President of the United States and one of its Founding Fathers, she said, “Agriculture is our wisest pursuit, because it will in the end contribute most to real wealth, good morals, and happiness.”
“Agriculture has always been the backbone of our nation. From our historical roots to the present day, agriculture remains a crucial aspect of our daily lives and economy.”
The Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) is launching the Young Farmers Club, Nigeria in selected pilot schools within the Federal Capital Territory as a precursor to a nationwide rollout. “Today, we have chosen twelve schools, including upper primary and junior secondary schools,” she announced.
She encouraged interested schools across the country to register with their respective State First Ladies. This registration will be forwarded to the Young Farmers Club desk at the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security for necessary support.
The club’s activities will be further supported by the states once the initial resources are utilized.
In his remarks, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Sen. Abubakar Kyari highlighted that this initiative will boost young people’s interest in agriculture as a career.
He urged the new members to take pride in their role within the Club, as they are crucial in feeding Nigerians.
The inductees, dressed in their Club uniforms, took the pledge administered by the Minister and received their membership cards and farming tools from the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
Dr. Olufolake Abdulrazaq, wife of the Kwara State Governor, accepted samples of the items on behalf of other State Governors’ wives, as the club is set to be replicated across various states.
