An agronomist, Aminu Buhari has urged graduating students and staff of Adamawa State University (ADSU), Mubi, to embrace agriculture to mitigate impacts of Boko Haram insurgency in the state.
Buhari, who is the Team Lead, Consultant Arewa Research and Development Project, made the call during the 14th convocation lecture of the university, on Monday in Mubi.
In a paper presentation titled: “Revamping insurgency ravaged economies: The potential of the livestock sector in Adamawa State,” he advised the graduands to avail themselves opportunities of the agribusiness support programme initiated by the state government.
The gesture, he said, would enable them to engage in livestock, aquaculture and crop production to become self-reliant and employers of labour.
“The state is the first to establish credit guarantee scheme with N5.15 billion to de-risk agribusiness with cover to any financial institutions,” he said.
He advised the youths to embrace agriculture in view of its lucrative nature to reduce unemployment and enhance wealth creation in the society.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Kaletapwa Farauta said the university focused on preparing students for national building and solving societal challenges.
She said: “It is within this context that the entrepreneurship and skills development centre for promoting entrepreneurship activities and orientation among students and staff.
“We, therefore, strongly believe that this lecture will further stimulate debate on how best universities can serve as catalysts to create the much needed environment for developing and harnessing students’ ingenuity for national building“.