Food insecurity: UNIZIK Acting VC urges Nigerian Youths to Embrace Agriculture

By Praise Chinecherem

Acting Vice Chancellor, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Anambra state, Prof. Carol Arinze-Umeobi, has urged young Nigerians to embrace agriculture to beat food insecurity.

She expressed regret about the wrong notion that has gone on for year describing agriculture as a dirty job hence discouraging students from studying the course.

The Food Festival was jointly organized by Faculty of Agriculture and the TETFUND Centre of Excellence for Biomedical, Engineering and Agricultural Translational Studies (TCE BEATS).

Arinze-Umeobi encouraged participants, who were between 15 and 40 years of age to strive to become innovative problem solvers for enhanced food security and better livelihood.

Represented by the former Dean, Faculty of Engineering, Prof. Chuka Nwigbo, the Acting VC remarked, “Whether in the United Kingdom or in Ifite-Awka, the capacity you possess will determine your efficiency, contribution to society, and eventual emolument you benefit.

“Some people say agriculture is a dirty job. I wish to change your reasoning. Engineers are the dirtiest. Medical doctors are also the dirtiest.

All gynecologists are dirt pushers. More than 50% of women that deliver children poo. Also, 100% of all the children are soiled at birth. Doctors clean them up.

“For engineers working on sheet metal fabrication, there is a point you handle the metal and your hand stiffens. Romance is gone in your hands. The scales of your hand will not feel the body of your wife.

“In agriculture you just go to dig the ground and wash your hand. Agriculture is never a dirty job. Nothing smells in the farm. It’s only the sand that will touch your body.

In an address, the Dean, Faculty of Agriculture, Prof. Cordelia Ebenebe, expressed fulfillment about the Food Festival which has been her dream since Enugu State organized a food festival with one of the faculty lecturers as a resource person.

When Prof. Charles Ishiwu came back, I told him that the food festival should be in faculty of agriculture. And all of a sudden, Prof. Helen Agu, TCE BEATS Director, said TCE BEATS will partner with us. I’m so happy this dream has been fulfilled today in my tenure as the Dean”.

Prof. Ebenebe argued that certificates, degrees are no longer enough to make a person what he should be in life urging the participants to acquire skills that will help them to make impact in life.

“Skills help you to get established but education is the foundation. Without it, you will just be wandering in ignorance. Apart from my meagre salary, I have a number of skills for which I’m being invited here and there.

The Director, TCE BEATS, Prof. Helen Agu, described the event as another milestone in the effort to turn knowledge into solutions and skills into sustainable livelihoods.

“This program is aimed at training 100 women and youths to become self-sufficient through practical skill-based learning. This is not charity but capacity building for long-term economic freedom.

“We are trying to build you up, like I said in my earlier talk, what you’re going to be in the future. TCE BEATS has also successfully organized a comprehensive training on new products and sustainable system design.

“These initiatives reflect our mandate to empower people with skills that bridge the gap between science and society, knowledge and enterprise, research and real-world impact”.

The Central Planning Committee Chairman, Dr. John Ogbodo, described the participants as the future workforce and entrepreneurs that Nigeria will depend on.

“A striking disparity exists in how Nigerian youths perceive different careers. Agriculture is often misconceived as an unprofitable field, leading many students to shy away from pursuing it.

“Funny enough, despite roadside motor mechanics often being seen as dirty, many young Nigerians still aspire to study mechanical engineering in universities. Paradoxically, while mechanical engineering is viewed as a respected and lucrative field, agriculture – the backbone of our food security – is often perceived as a “dirty” career.

“This contrast underscores the need for this capacity building training aimed at empowering agropreneurs for economic emancipation, emphasizing the modern and innovative aspects of agric-related fields.

“It is against this backdrop that the Faculty of Agriculture, collaborating with TCE BEATS organizes this to give Nigerian youths and women a more nuanced understanding of the opportunities available in agriculture and related fields.”

Dr. Ogbodo’s remarks highlighted the need to rebrand agriculture and showcase its potential for innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic growth.

The two-day event featured presentations on entrepreneurship, business planning fundamentals, and mushroom production, processing and packaging, cooking Igbo-style traditional dishes and cuisines, yam mini-setting technology as well as herbal tea and production and spicy.

Five young trainees, who took part in a food cooking competition during the festival were given cash award and certificates.