NAN-AE-1
Appeal
By Suleiman Shehu
Ibadan, Oct. 20, 2016 (NAN) Dr Kanayo Nwanze, President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) has advised Africa leaders to invest in youths, through agriculture, to eradicate hunger.
Nwanze gave the advice on Wednesday evening during the 50th anniversary of the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in Ibadan.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Nwanze spoke on theme: ‘’Rejuvenation of Africa through IITA’S interventions and the impact of the youth engagement in agriculture.’’
The IFAD President said that the hope of the continent, particularly Nigeria, depends on the youths, adding that steps must be taken to engage them in agriculture to become better citizens.
“It is the responsibility of the old and leaders of any country to take some important steps for the sake of the youth and the future of the country.
“Africa and Nigeria in particular is blessed with fertile soil and abundant rainfall that will make it easier to invest in agriculture.
“No other continent is so gifted like Africa, it has a brighter future in agriculture and offers a huge opportunity for the youth that will discourage the search for white-collar job,’’ Nwanze said.
He said that Nigeria needed to revive the decay of the past on agriculture and invest in rural transformation that would assist easy transportation of agriculture produce.
The IFAD president said that the countries where Nigeria bought the imported food items from used the money generated to develop their economies.
Nwanze said that investing in agriculture would save Africa and Nigeria in particular a lot of money, which can be channelled toward the development of other infrastructure.
He, however, urged youths to see the challenges of today as opportunities they could maximise to better their lots.
Nwanze said that IITA had provided a lot of assistance in terms of agriculture by reducing hunger in Africa, and expressed willingness to be part of the event commemorating its anniversary. (NAN)
SYS/DUA/AFA
Edited by Dada Ahmed/Felix Ajide
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