Women’s Day: Monarch, LG boss urge women to be agents of agric transformation
The Olomu of Omu-Aran, Oba Charles Ibitoye, has called on Nigerian women to be reputable agents, collaborators and investors in transforming the agriculture sector.
Ibitoye made the call in a message in Omu-Aran, Kwara, to mark the International Women’s Day on Wednesday in Omu-Aran, Irepodun Local Government Area of kwara.
The monarch said agriculture remains a veritable platform for achieving the desired economic diversification envisioned for the country.
He said situation whereby farming was being categorized as a business for the men folk could be a stumbling block to governments’ effort at transforming the sector.
Ibitoye maintained that only a collective responsibility of stakeholders could promote the desired development in the agriculture sector.
He stressed the need for government at all levels to strive to encourage more young women, especially in tertiary institutions, to embrace agriculture as a course, profession and vocations.
According to the monarch, the role of women as home managers and mothers of the nation cannot be over emphasized.
“Nigeria has had its share of the dwindling economic fortune in the globe and need to embrace agriculture to fight poverty, hunger and unemployment.
“I think gone are the days when agriculture is regarded as the exclusive profession for men. Nigerian women nowadays have also proven to be versatile in every sector of the nation’s economy.
“So it is in the spirit of this unique season that I am calling on Nigerian women to be actively involved and engaged in promoting and practicing agriculture as a catalyst for sustainable development,” Ibitoye said.
Also in a remark, Mr Kazeem Adekanye, the Transition Implementation Committee Chairman for Irepodun Local Government Area in Kwara, urged Nigerian women to be reputable agent of change in agriculture transformation initiative.
He said the women, irrespective of their ethno-religious or political affiliation, have specific roles in promoting the change mantra being championed by the present administration.
“There is the need for more women to register as practicing farmers for them to be able benefit from the series of palliative and incentive available in the sector.
“Nigerian women have really come of age and this is the surest and veritable platform for them to contribute their quota to the nation’s growth, progress and development,” he said.
