“Put on your thinking caps”

IITA youths addressing FARA officials

The new Executive Director of the Forum for Agricultural Research for Africa (FARA), Dr Yemi Akinbamijo, has urged members of the IITA Youth project to harness the diversity of skills inherent among them for agricultural development.

He gave this counsel in Ibadan during his first official visit to IITA on 2 August 2013. Accompanied by other FARA executives: Dr Aggrey Agumya, Technical Adviser; Dr Ramadjita Tabo, Deputy Executive Director; and Prof. Adewale Adekunle, Director of partnerships, the new FARA boss could not hide his excitement over the youth project.

He also urged the youth to always “put on their thinking caps” and judiciously utilize the services ICT renders. Prof.  Adekunle in his remarks enjoined the Agripreneurs to channel much of their effort towards adding value to crops cultivated, thus diversifying their consumption forms. “It would be great to find the foods we enjoyed in the villages, repackaged and available in stores and supermarkets,” he said.

The Youth made a presentation on: “Income Generation and Youth Employment,” and gave an overview of the objectives and current operations of the project.

In his closing remarks, the Executive Director congratulated the team for a great job, and reiterated the desire of FARA to work with them.