L-R: Gabriel Okwuofu, Head, Special Projects Management Office, Origin Tech Group Nigeria; Prof. Akinloye Farinde, Former Dean, Agric, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU); Kunle Olorode, Senior Industry Advisor and Prince Samuel Samuel, Executive Chairman, Origin Tech Group Nigeria; Prof. Adebayo Bamire, Vice Chancellor; Prof. Adesola Aderounmu, Deputy, Vice Chancellor, Academics; Prof. Olufemi Ajayi, Dean Agric, OAU and Dr. Bosede Bamire during their recent visit to Origin Tech Group Nigeria.
Executive Chairman of Origin Tech Group Nigeria, Prince Samuel Samuel, has urged Nigerians to key into President Bola Tinubu’s vision of agricultural revolution as a catalyst for unlocking the nation’s economic potentials.
He said this while receiving the Governing Council members of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife led by the Vice Chancellor at the corporate headquarters of the Origin Tech Group in the continuation of talks around developing a partnership between the university and the company.
Samuel said that agricultural value-chain presents “an opportunity that can easily transform Nigeria’s economy into an engine room of prosperity through partnerships, strategic investment, strong governance, and sustainable practices and as such, the role of tertiary institutions such as OAU is important.
“The 21st century had opened new vistas for economic growth, and with agriculture now in its ascendancy, commercial large-scale farming and its value-chain stand out as the most promising tool for economic enhancement. The Nigerian population continues to grow at nearly 3% per annum with a projection of 378 million by 2050. Nearly 70% of its population is under the age of 30 which has led to increasing urbanisation and invariably an increase in food demand. Ensuring food security requires that the value chain that connects rural and urban areas so that the expected demand for food is achieved. Hence, the role of stakeholders including institutions like OAU generating ideas, producing skilled manpower and boosting capacity is crucial towards achieving this food challenge,” Samuel said.
While responding, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Adebayo Bamire commended Origin Tech Group for the technology they are employing in solving the problems around food systems transformation. He also said that returning to the farms is the panacea to solving Nigeria’s economic challenges. Bamire commended the projects being embarked upon by the company and said that partnering with Origin Tech Group is valuable given its technical skills, resources, and sustainability in the agric sector. He expressed the commitment of his team to ensure its success.
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