The wife of the Lagos state governor, Mrs Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, today inducted over 700 pupils from primary and secondary schools across the state into the Young Farmers Club.
This initiative aligns with the vision of Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, CON, and aims to encourage students to adopt modern farming techniques while contributing to Nigeria’s food security and economic diversification.
The induction ceremony, held in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems to commemorate this year’s World Food Day, took place at Alausa, Ikeja.
During her speech, Dr. Sanwo-Olu emphasized the critical role agriculture plays in Nigeria’s economy, describing it as the backbone of sustenance for decades.
She praised Senator Oluremi Tinubu for her commitment to enhancing the lives of Nigerian families through the Renewed Hope Initiative, which encompasses various sectors, including fashion, empowerment, and agriculture.
“The introduction of young learners to farming through the Young Farmers Club is an excellent way to invest in our children via agriculture,” Dr. Sanwo-Olu stated.
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“With this initiative, the First Lady of Nigeria is not only planting seeds in the soil but also sowing seeds of hope, resilience, and economic prosperity for our nation.”
Dr. Sanwo-Olu highlighted the importance of making agriculture appealing to younger generations, viewing the Young Farmers Club as a crucial step toward reviving the culture of farming in schools.
“By reigniting the culture of farming in schools, we are inspiring children to view farming not just as a profession but as a key driver of economic diversification and national development,” she added.
Referencing the ongoing “Every Home A Garden” competition, which promotes home gardening with a grand prize of ₦20 million to be awarded in December, she expressed confidence that a winner would emerge from Lagos State.
In his remarks, Mr. Olabode Agoro, the Head of Service of Lagos State, encouraged civil servants to engage in farming as it can be pursued alongside their civil service jobs.
He advised job seekers to consider farming as a viable income source while suggesting that those already employed could supplement their earnings through agricultural activities.
Earlier, Ms. Abisola Olusanya, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, urged pupils to recognize the opportunities within the agricultural sector.
She congratulated the new inductees into the Young Farmers Club and encouraged them to nurture their passion for agriculture as a potential livelihood.
Mr. Jamiu Alli-Balogun, the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, represented by Mrs. Anike Adekanye, the Tutor-General/Permanent Secretary of Education District II, acknowledged the longstanding presence of the Young Farmers Club in Lagos schools.
He stressed that the renewed interest in expanding the program would further engage school pupils. He attributed the numerous awards and recognitions received by the Lagos State Government in educational competitions to the significant investments made in education, noting that Lagos is the only state in Nigeria with agriculture teachers in all its primary and secondary schools.
The Commissioner also highlighted Dr. Sanwo-Olu’s interest in agriculture, despite her medical background, and her encouragement of the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO) to support agricultural initiatives.
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