Gbenga Sodeinde in Ado Ekiti
The Registrar of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof Ishaq Oloyede, has called for huge investment in agriculture in the country. He said the move would further attract a productive population and reduce the scourges of insecurity and cybercrime perpetrated by Nigerian youths.
He also stressed the urgent need for the federal government to declare a state of emergency in the agricultural sector and allow more funding to end hardship, unemployment and poverty among the youth.
Oloyede said the present agricultural practice, which relies on traditional implements and annual rainfall, is not profitable and cannot encourage the Nigerian youth to engage in farming to tackle the country’s hardships.
The JAMB registrar spoke in Ikole-Ekiti at the weekend while delivering a Ramadan lecture organised by the lawmaker representing Ekiti North Constituency I, Mr. Akinola Rotimi, as part of his activities to honour the National Vice President, Ansar-ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, Aare Afolabi Ogunlayi.
Speaking on ‘Duties of Muslim Citizens in National Development,’ Oloyede described the Islamic religion as important and argued that it had been embraced and tolerant by all, including the traditional rulers in the past. He quoted several passages from the Holy Quran to support his claims.
He lauded the relationship between the Muslim and the Christian community in Ekiti.
The organiser said the programme was part of his activities to identify with members of his constituency during the Easter celebrations. He said the lecture was in honour of Ogunlayi in recognition of his activities towards developing Islamic religion in the state and Nigeria in general.
The lawmaker lauded the coexistence and relationship between the Muslim and Christian communities in the area.
Ex-Governor Kayode Fayemi hailed the lawmaker for organising the programme and expressed optimism that the lawmaker would be a good representative for the people of the constituency.
The former governor admonished the people to endure the current hardship in the country with the government. He noted that the federal government would do everything to alleviate the people’s suffering.
