Kunle Adelabu
The 103 constituents of Ikorodu that just graduated from the agricultural training facilitated by the Chairman, House Committee on Defense, Rep. Babajimi Benson, will be allocated a plot each by the Ministry of Agriculture.
The Commissioner for Agriculture, Lagos State, Ms. Bisola Ruth Olusanya, represented the Governor at the graduation ceremony held at the Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre (NAFRC), Oshodi, on Tuesday, March 30, 2021.
Hon. Benson facilitated the two – week agricultural training in Crop Production and Animal Husbandry (Poultry/Snail Production/Piggery/Cattle and Goat Breeding) in conjunction with the NAFRC.
Graduands who were presented with Certificates and cash support by the lawmaker were full of commendations and appreciations.
The two – term lawmaker, speaking at the ceremony, thanked the Nigerian Army for the opportunity given to his constituents by training and accommodating them with great hospitality.
He said that he was encouraged by the passion showed by the graduands, including those with babies.
“It is indeed my great pleasure to be here and celebrate my birthday with you.
“I came to your graduation because I saw your passion and commitment in the videos that I watched, particularly that of your women with babies. I could see that you are happy with your Commandant and others officers here”, Hon. Benson said.
“All that I saw gave me strength and the encouragement to be here today and I haven’t regretted it”.
He commended the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture for allocating lands to the graduands to engage in farming activities and described the gesture as best birthday present that he has received.
“The promise of the Commissioner for Agriculture, Ms. Bisola Olusanya, to give lands for five years on a lease basis is the best birthday present ever”, he said.
He charged graduands to, henceforth, see members of the armed forces as good people who contribute values to the society and needed encouragement at all times to be at their best.
The federal lawmaker also commended the Lagos State Government for its efforts support.
Ms. Olusanya, the Commissioner for Agriculture, speaking earlier, commended the Nigerian Army for their impressive work at NAFRC.
She pledged that the State government would support the graduands with lands that would be allocated to them for five years, stating that the gesture is part of the government’s efforts in encouraging youths to go into agriculture.
“I am honoured to be here today and be part of the graduation ceremony for 102 graduands in this army settlement”, she said.
“I was here about a month ago to see what is being done here by the men of the Nigerian armed forces and I was impressed with what I saw”.
Ms Olusanya, who said that she represented the governor of Lagos State at the ceremony to give support to the initiative of Rep . Benson which falls within the state government’s policy of promoting agriculture, pledged a plot of land each to the 102 graduands of the agricultural training.
“Under the Ministry of Agriculture, Lagos State, we are going to make available a plot of land each to the 102 graduands. It is Agric land which you must make good use of for farming”, she said to the graduands.
“We are trying to promote agriculture by encouraging youth inclusion and making facilities available for you and other essential services to make you succeed.
“We are making the lands available to you in form of a lease for five years and we shall come and see what you make of it after one year.
“The land will be taken away from you if you do not put it into good use”, she added.
The NAFRC Commandant, Air Vice Marshal M.A. Idris, congratulated the trainees for successful completion of their agricultural programmes and urged them to make use of the acquired knowledge in adding value to their families and community.
He thanked Hon. Benson for his support for the NAFRC and commended the Lagos State government for its support for the graduands.
Our reporter, who covered the ceremony spoke with some of the beneficiaries of the agricultural training and they expressed their appreciation for the opportunity given to them by their Representative, Hon. Benson, and the Nigerian Army.
They were also full of praises for the gesture of the Lagos State Government regarding the donation of land for agricultural use.
Jimoh-Faari Abdulkabir Adebayo, who was trained in the Animal Husbandry, described his experience as awesome.
“The experience was awesome and amazing. The practical training was well crafted to suit the line of business which some of us are already in.
“I plan to have a fish pond after this programme and l would also engage in planting of vegetables because from research, this brings money.
“I want to say a very big thank you to Hon.Babajimi Benson. This is unprecedented. We have many people in the government that do not really care about the people but he cares.
“I don’t even know him and yet, l got the opportunity to be part of the programme. This really show that we still have many people up there that are willing to help the citizens, especially the youths”.
Mr Ayinla Rahman, another graduand of Animal Husbandry programme with focus on poultry farming, described the programme as an eye opener.
“I have seen the reality because I did not have much knowledge in farming before, but with the privilege given to me courtesy of this platform, l have been able to learn something.
“I thank Hon. Babajimi Benson who facilitated this programme which I was opportuned to be selected as one of its participants. I wish him many happy returns of his birthday celebration”.
Oyinbo Mariam, also a granduand of Animal Husbandry programme, said that she intends to start her own farm.
“I intend to start my own agricultural programme like having a farm, poultry and fish pond. I actually specialize in fishery.
“I appreciate Hon. Benson for what he has done in improving my knowledge and that of my other colleagues. Thank you”, she said.
Oyeronke Oyewale Mary , an Accountancy graduate from the University of Lagos who took part in the cropping programme, said that she also took part in other programmes like fishery and piggery.
“I appreciate the broad experience that we were given, because aside our major programme, we were also given opportunities to experience other alternatives/trainings and that has broaden my experience in the area that I focused on and other activities that I learnt”.
Adebanjo Adewale Olugbenga, the overall Course Representative for the agricultural training who participated in Crop Production and Ruminant (large and small), said that the experience was wonderful and also expressed his joy for the availability of good instructors.
“We had wonderful experiences. The inspectors were there for us and were very patient with us. We had more practical training than the theoretical aspects. We had to do those things in their presence and we got it right.
“The programme was very wonderful.
“The pledge by the Commissioner for agriculture in Lagos that the state government would make land available for us also wowed us. With that land, I would use my own plot of land for Crop production “.
Mr Shola Awoyemi, who trained in Poultry farming, said that he has improved his knowledge in agriculture at the training.
“Although, I have knowledge about agriculture before, but the training that I have been given here has added more to it. I have gained a lot of experience on how best to engage in agriculture.
“The training was both in practical and theory and it was lovely. I have gained a lot that will enable me do well in my poultry business.
“Hon. Babajimi Benson has been wonderful and real. We pray that God will continue to give him more power and assist him to continue to represent us for Ikorodu to be empowered”, he prayed.
Mr Segun Oluwaseyitan, who trained in Poultry farming, said:
“Coming to this place has enhanced my experience in poultry farming. It is an eye opener and from here, I can go back and improve myself and impact my neighbourhood.
“I can even employ about two or three youths to work with me.
“I am very grateful. I want to use this opportunity to thank Hon. Jimi Benson and pray for more power to his elbow and greater heights for him and his family”.
Martin Samuel, another student of Crop Production, described his experience as nice, regarding his practical engagements.
“We did thorough practical which was enjoyable. We planted plantains and vegetables and even went to the horticulture section and saw their flowers and we were told how to actually replant them which is not difficult.
“They put us through a lot. We learnt about animal nutrition and health, just in case some of us would like to go into mixed farming which is the combination of crop and animal rearing.
“With this knowledge, I intend starting my own farm. I planned going into mixed farming with focus on rabbitry and crop production even before we were promised land by the Commissioner for Agriculture in Lagos State, but now with this encouragement and support in form of a plot of land and money to start the business, it is really a good thing for me.
“My hope has been raised very high and I really appreciate Hon. Benson and the government for this. I really thank them”.
