As part of efforts to deepen practice and investment in agriculture and agribusiness, the management of the Kwara State University, (KWASU), Malete has signed a Memorandum of Understanding, (MoU) with Heart & Capital Nigeria Limited, a Nigerian-based Agricultural revolutionary firm, to further boost entrepreneurial skills among students of the institution.
Speaking on the understanding reached recently in Ilorin with a team from Heart & Capital Management, Abdulrasheed Na’Allah, the vice chancellor, disclosed that 4,000 students of the University would be trained on farm business.
Na’Allah said, “I was highly impressed with the company when I attended their press launch few months ago, knowing their vision, mission and in fact the kind of organizations they are partnering with to achieve this vision and mission of theirs.
“I have no doubt about this partnership and committing 4, 000 of our students to them to train and mentor on farm business training. I also
want to use this medium to remind the co-founders of H&C, the motto of our University which is “Skills and Integrity” to always be their watch word where ever they find themselves in the future, and also to encourage them to keep breaking bounds, they should not let society pressure pull them back from realizing their dreams.”
Also, Sunday Ojo, director, Centre of Entrepreneurship of the University, declared that KWASU would commit about two hectares to cultivate for the research practical farm of the student, saying: “By next season, the University hopes to have 20-40 hectares of cassava cultivated which will be managed by Heart & Capital Nigeria Limited.”
He added, “We encourage other schools to follow this laudable project of KWASU because of the need to diversify the economy by going into agriculture in order to feed the nation and again to start exportation of agriculture products. By God’s grace, we will be having a flag off for the project before the students resume in August.”
In their separate remarks, the Co-founders of Heart and Capital Nig. Ltd, Abdulquawiy Olododo and Umar Adelodun, lauded the University for entrusting them with the training and mentorship of 4000 students saying: “We are out to showcase our potential to further reflect positively in the society through agriculture.”
They added that, “We are determined in changing the status quo where most Nigerian youths believe farming is a dirty work they shouldn’t associate with, we want to make farming/Agric business appealing to fellow youths like us so they can think outside the box and see the need to come into the sector and tap into many opportunities that lies in it.
“Heart and Capital Nig. Ltd is focused on growing and easing the farming business through numerous services we render and plans put in place, the farm business training is just one of many ways we intend to ensure the realization of this dream.
RAZAQ AYINLA
