The Lagos State Education District II has celebrated another resounding victory at the Lagos Agricultural Scholars Competition and Young Farmer’s Club Induction, held on October 10th, 2024, at the Adeyemo-Bero Auditorium, Alausa, Ikeja.
The competition, which is part of the Renewed Hope Initiative of the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, to empower young people and enhance their knowledge in agriculture and thus boost Nigeria’s economic development, was organised by the Office of the First Lady of Lagos State, Dr. Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu.
The Lagos Agricultural Scholars Competition gathered students from various public and private schools to demonstrate their agricultural knowledge and skills through Quiz and Speech categories.
Representing Education District II, Abdusallam Bada and Shitta Zoheerah of Oriwu Senior Model College, Ikorodu, claimed the first position in the competition, while Adewale Marvellous and Apata Richard from Anthony Village Senior High School took the 1st Runner-Up spot. The students’ brilliant performance underscored their dedication to agricultural studies and set them apart as future leaders in this vital sector.
Speaking at the event, the First Lady applauded the students for their perseverance and commitment to academic excellence. She emphasised the importance of agriculture as a critical sector for Nigeria’s future growth, urging the students to continue building on the knowledge gained from the competition and their participation in the Young Farmer’s Club.
Dr. Sanwo-Olu also commended the leadership of the Tutor-General/Permanent Secretary of Education District II, Mrs. Anike Adekanye, for fostering a culture of excellence within the district while acknowledging the contributions of teachers and school administrators for their role in nurturing young agricultural scholars.
Responding, Mrs. Anike Adekanye expressed profound gratitude to the Office of the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for the vision behind the Renewed Hope Initiative. She highlighted the remarkable impact the initiative has had in expanding agricultural education and leadership development among young people across the nation, noting that the Young Farmer’s Club induction aligns perfectly with the initiative’s goal of equipping students with skills necessary for personal and national advancement.
“Our students have demonstrated great promise in agriculture, and we are confident that their passion and skills will contribute significantly to Nigeria’s agricultural development in the years to come,” she remarked.
The programme climaxed with the induction of over 700 students, from both the primary and secondary schools in Lagos State into the Young Farmer’s Club by Dr. Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, a platform for students to receive practical training and exposure to modern farming techniques, ensuring that the youth are fully equipped to contribute to the nation’s food security and economic advancement.
