The Ooni of Ife, Ogunwusi Ojaja has agreed to lead other traditional rulers in the country to the 2nd Uplifting Youth Through Agriculture (UYOTA) royal agric investment and youth empowerment tour in Thailand.
The tour, which will be held from November 4-14, 2023, is said to be in collaboration with relevant stakeholders and partners both at home and in the diaspora.
According to Afoma Adigwe, organiser of the tour, who is also the founder of UYOTA, the essence of the programme is for the empowerment of Nigerian youths.
In his response to the founder and also the members of the UYOTA delegation, who paid a courtesy visit to his palace, the Ooni commended Adigwe and members of her team for their efforts in uplifting youths of the nation through agriculture.
Ooni told the visitors that the project aligned with his involvement, contribution and investment in the agricultural sector particularly as it remains the most viable tool for a long-lasting economic prosperity.
Afoma had earlier in her speech told the royal father of her visit to the kingdom of Thailand in 2008 where she was taken on a tour of the late monarch’s royal Chitralada agricultural projects, tailored towards rendering skill acquisition programmes for members of his royal communities.
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She also explained that the Thailand trip provided her with new agricultural techniques for educating women and youths in Nigeria, adding that she was also moved by the involvement of the late Bhumibol Adulyadej in supporting the government of Thailand through agriculture.
The experience buoyed her commitment to share the idea with selected royal fathers in Nigeria in order to emulate and replicate the Thai royal projects. This could not only improve the lives of their subjects, but also give a practical approach towards eradicating poverty in the society.
She said in view of the fact that the royal fathers are the custodians of landed property in their various communities, they could organise skills acquisition programmes, especially in agriculture, to utilise the control they have over the lands in their communities and thereby creating employment for the youths.
Adigwe also said that the idea is centered on how Nigeria can improve on local production, while concentrating on food security as well as promoting royal ties between the two countries
The founder stated that the tour can create synergy and collaboration with UYOTA and Nigerian government on agricultural projects.
