Afe Babalola Blames Hunger, Begging On Neglect Of Farming

Chief Afe Babalola

The founder of Afe Babalola University Ado Ekiti, Chief Afe Babalola, on Wednesday, lamented the poverty, hunger and the new trend of begging pervading the country, saying these were unnecessary in Nigeria in view of its vast endowments.

Babalola said, “Farming provides what we eat and it should be the biggest employer of labour. We have abandoned the most important sector, which is agriculture, and that is why we have many people begging to eat in Nigeria today. Agriculture will ensure food security, food security will knock off many problems.”

The ABUAD founder and renowned farmer spoke in Ado-Ekiti during the formal opening of the International Fund for Agricultural Development project training for youths in Ekiti and Oyo States under the Youth Employment in Agri-business and Sustainable Agriculture.

Babalola, who said the agriculture sector had the capability to provide employment opportunities for youth and make them financially independent instead of depending on the government, harped on the role of the education sector in this aspect.

He said, “I believe that if we want to change this country, we must go back to Agriculture. Agriculture used to be the mainstay of the economy of this country, but somehow, our educational system has been destructive by not emphasizing the importance of agriculture.”

The ABUAD founder called on government at all levels in the country to redesign the education curriculum in a manner that it would place more emphasis on agriculture and make it more attractive to youths in the society.

Babalola, who said ABUAD represented total education and service to the society, said, “Any university that has abandoned community service is not worthy to be called a university.”