The National Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison Services (NAERLS) of the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria has enrolled 100 secondary schools from different parts of Nigeria into its agricultural programmes.
The Director of NAERLS, Professor Mohammed Khalid Othman, made this known during the 2017/2018 National Agricultural Extension Review and Planning Meeting, saying the enrolment was part of efforts to encourage youth participation in agriculture.
He said the agricultural sector was blossoming with increased involvement of private investors.
He added that “the private sector is presently at the forefront in promotion of innovation and profitability. On our part in NAERLS, we believe the agricultural potentials in Nigeria lie with the youths.
“Thus we have actively championed the training of youths at various levels from secondary school to fresh graduates of tertiary institutions. We have engaged more than 100 schools across the nation under the ‘Adopted School Project’.
Dr. Bukar Hassan, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, said agriculture remained the best alternative for national growth and development, stressing that ideas rule the world, hence the need for meaningful contributions towards upholding Nigeria’s agriculture.
The vice chancellor of the university, Professor Ibrahim Garba, commended President Muhammadu Buhari for “unlocking” the full potentials of the agricultural sector.
By Isa Sa’idu,
Daily Trust News
