The management of the Kwara State University 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.
Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor AbdulRasheed Na’Allah, stated this while receiving the Heart & Capital management team in his office. He disclosed that 4, 000 students of the university would be trained on farm business.
According to the Prof. Na’Allah, “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.”
The VC however appealed to Nigerian youths to think inward and start something stressing that agriculture is capable of taking the nation out economic recession as among other challenges confronting the nation.
Also speaking, the Director, Centre of Entrepreneurship of the University, Mr. Sunday Ojo, disclosed that KWASU would commit about two hectares (5 acres) to cultivate for the research practical farm of the student.
He said: “By next season, the University hopes to have 20-40 hectares of cassava cultivated which will be managed by Heart &Capital Nigeria Limited. 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, Mr. Abdulquawiy Olododo and Mr. Umar Adelodun, thanked the University for entrusting them with the training and mentorship of 4000 students adding that, “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.
