Progress Abisola
…Urges Them To Grow 50 percent of vegetables Consumed on Campus
Wife of Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Olayemi Oyebanji has charged the newly matriculated students of Venite University, Iloro Ekiti, to cultivate personal gardens by growing food items, thereby contributing to food security in Ekiti State and Nigeria.
Dr. Oyebanji said irrespective of the courses the students were admitted to study, they should make a valuable use of the arable land on their university campus to grow vegetables like tomatoes, pepper, maize, okro among others to boost food availability.
The First Lady who gave the admonition on Wednesday at the maiden matriculation ceremony held at the new university in Iloro Ekiti said; the students have the capacity of growing at least 50 per cent of what they eat on the campus noting that she had laid the example in the state by cultivating a garden from which she had already harvested food items.
Describing the university’s maiden matriculation ceremony as
“a monumental occasion marking the beginning of an exciting academic journey,” Dr. Oyebanji urged the students to use the opportunity of their studentship to strive for excellence and make a difference in their generation.
The First Lady, an Associate Professor of Education Management, from the prestigious University of lbadan, spoke in her capacity as the Chairperson and Quintessential Mother of the Day of the ceremony.
She hailed the vision that birthed Venite University in order to make the dream to provide more access to education in the state a reality.
Dr. Oyebanji, on arrival on the campus, inspected a guard of honor mounted by the university security team to the admiration of the Visitor and Chairman, Board of Trustees, Prof. Patrick Aina; the Vice Chancellor, Prof. James Olaogun; the Registrar, Dr. Ezekiel Agbaje and the Director of Strategy, Advancement and Partnership, Hon. Dapo Kolawole.
The matriculation oath was administered by the Registrar, Dr. Agbaje, after which the students were counseled by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Olaogun, to abide by the rules and regulations of the university and assure them of an enabling environment to equip them with skills to be creative and make an impact in the global community.
The First Lady had earlier presented the VC’s award of N50,000 to a student; miss Tolulope Oluwatimilehin who had the highest Cumulative Grade Point Average of 4.82.
The university visitor also announced the award of scholarship to the best 50 students starting from the next year academic season.
The House of Representatives member representing Ekiti Central Federal Constituency 2, Hon. Biodun Omoleye also disclosed his readiness to support not less than 100 deserving students of the university as part of his own contribution to their development and the growth of the institution located in his constituency.
Dr. Oyebanji further, stressed the need for the students, especially the female ones among them, to boost their entrepreneurial skills by getting themselves involved in small scale agriculture through the “Own A Garden” initiative being championed by the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Remi Tinubu, to encourage the women folk into the quest to boost food security.
She said: “Mr. Vice Chancellor, Sir, I wouldn’t know what you have in store for your entrepreneurial programme, but I want to urge these students, including the young women, to get involved in agriculture.
Let them own gardens in cluster, let them grow their own vegetables, and let them grow their own pepper, among others.
“My children, go and own your gardens; you don’t have to be in the Faculty of Agriculture before you do that. You can also develop a passion for growing tomatoes, pepper, and vegetables.
In some universities, the students there grow what they eat.
“I have my own garden. The news is on the internet. The First Lady of Nigeria said every state first lady should grow a garden as a symbolic one to encourage our women to grow gardens. I broadcast my seeds, and one month after, I came back, and the garden was full of fresh vegetables. I am also harvesting maize from my own garden.
“You can grow your own gardens because you have so much arable land here. It’s not a serious farming. Just have your own garden; at least 50 percent of what you eat on this campus, let us grow it. You can invite me again and I will come and see what you are doing.”
The First Lady also added: “Venite University is poised to provide world-class education, which will bring about innovation, and nurture talents that will drive our state’s development and beyond.
I commend the visionary leadership, dedicated governing council, and all those who have worked tirelessly to make this dream a reality.
“As you begin this new chapter, I encourage you to embrace the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. Stay curious, remain diligent, and never stop striving for excellence. Your success will not only bring pride to your families but also contribute to the growth and progress of our beloved Ekiti State, nation, and the world at large”
The matriculation ceremony was attended by the Speaker, Ekiti State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adeoye Aribasoye, who was ably represented by the Chairman, House Committee on Education, Hon. Jacob Awoyemi, who equally led a strong team of assembly members to the event.
Traditional rulers, community leaders, and senior academics from other universities, parents, and guidance were equally in attendance.