By Abbas Nazil
The Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, has called on Nigerian youths to embrace agriculture as a means of addressing food insecurity and unemployment.
Speaking ahead of the 2025 Lisabi Festival at his Ake Palace in Abeokuta, Ogun State, the monarch described the current level of joblessness and food shortages as worrisome but emphasized that youth participation in farming could help reverse the trend.
Oba Gbadebo stressed that Nigeria, despite its vast arable land, should not rely heavily on food importation when agriculture offers immense opportunities for self-sufficiency and economic growth.
He urged young people to take advantage of these opportunities rather than remain unemployed or idle. According to him, farming could create jobs, boost food production, and enhance the nation’s economy.
The monarch noted that the theme for the 2025 Lisabi Festival, *Back To Land: Panacea For Food Sustainability And Youth Employment In Egbaland,* was carefully chosen to draw attention to the urgent need for youth engagement in agriculture.
He stated that this year’s festival aims to promote awareness of the benefits of farming and encourage policies that support agricultural development.
Oba Gbadebo further urged the government and relevant stakeholders to invest in agriculture by providing access to land, financial support, and modern farming technologies to make the sector more attractive to young people.
He expressed concern over the increasing dependence on food imports, warning that continued neglect of agriculture could have dire consequences for national food security.
As part of the festival activities, the Alake announced that Oba Ladapo Idowu Ademola, the second Alake of Egbaland who reigned from 1920 to 1962, had been chosen as the hero for the 2025 Lisabi Festival.
He explained that the decision was in recognition of the late monarch’s contributions to the history and development of Egbaland.
The Alake reaffirmed that the Lisabi Festival remains a vital cultural event for Egba indigenes, both at home and in the diaspora.
He highlighted the achievements of Egba people in various fields and emphasized the importance of preserving cultural heritage while focusing on developmental initiatives.
He reiterated his appeal to young Nigerians to return to agriculture, emphasizing that the sector holds the key to solving unemployment and ensuring food security.