FUTO: NAAS VISIT TO MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE, IMO STATE

The unique executives of the Nigerian Association of Agricultural Students, FUTO Chapter on Thursday Visited the Ministry of Agriculture, Imo State to Solicit and Appeal for Permission, Support and Advice on the Program initiated by the Association on “The Sensitization of Agriculture at Secondary School Levels”. 

During the President’s Opening Speech, he said “Agricultural Courses are not a waste of time as people think over here. They are not courses for the less privilege. They are not courses for those who are not intelligent or Bright. There is need for Empowerment and Encouragement from the Ministry. There is need for equipping the Students with mechanized equipments for comfortable learning environment and also for Practical. One of the Major reasons why Agriculture is critically ill is because, it was neglected by the government and Oil Production took control which was supposed to be so. We initiated this Program to bring back the Mantle of Agriculture, to preach the Gospel of Agriculture to Secondary School Students and also explain to them the benefits of Undertaking Agriculture in their Career.

After his speech some of the members of the association were given the chance to add to what the President said towards the need for initiating the Sensitization Program.

Hon. Okezie Unique: “In the environment were Agriculture is Overlooked, Farmers neglected, Students undertaking Agriculture in their career not encouraged, there is need for sensitization. We were taught in our school that Agriculture is the growing of crops and rearing of animals for man’s consumption but little do we know that there is more to agriculture than what schools are holding. That is why we initiated this program starting from Secondary Schools to tell them that there is more to Agriculture than they are been exposed. We are pleading with the Government of Imo State to help us unleash the bright side of Agriculture and Agricultural Courses to students to secondary school students to open their eyes to the real deal of Agriculture”..He said.

Also Comr. Chike Fred contributed by saying: “I one time asked my younger sister what she wanted to study in the University and she replied Law. I asked her why Law and she said because that’s the course my friends also want to study. When I suggested Agricultural courses to her, she said ‘Tufiakwa’……This is the main reason why we initiated this program to tell our young ones @ Secondary schools that Agriculture isn’t just about planting corn, cassava, et cetera and harvesting them”.

According to the Hon. Commissioner’s speech Mr. Udo Aguoha, reacting to the Proposal, he commended the President of the Nigerian Association of Agricultural students (FUTO Chapter) on his wisdom towards initiating the Sensitization Program for Secondary School Students. “Our incumbent Governor, Rochas Okorocha in 2013 launched ‘Plant a Palm Program’. This was introduced to many villages, communities, L.G.As but many people played with it.

It is important of us to understand the importance of Agriculture in our society.  Go to other ministries, you would see that they depend on Agriculture for livelihood and Survival. Agriculture is the most Nobel profession and for you to be successful in it, you have to be passionate about it, else you would be frustrated along the line. Already we have preached it that every school must have a Farm (Starting from primary schools). I am going to set up a panel to see how we are going to help. We are going to collaborate with you (NAAS) to usher in a new era where agriculture takes precedence over every other thing. It used to be Crude oil, but now how many oil wells are functioning?, how many refineries are working today? Majority of agricultural products as we all know are harvested in the north, while little or none are gotten from the South East. Finally, connect other tertiary institutions around to join in the Sensitization program”…..he said.

The President of the Association Comr. Ukonu Dennis in his vote of thanks, thanked the Almighty God for his Grace, Commissioner and members of the ministry for appreciating their idea. “Of a truth, some would say we are only students what can we offer to the society but you accommodated us and also believed that we can contribute meaningfully to the Agricultural Movement in the State.

SHARE THIS