Self-sufficiency through agriculture, with the royal fathers motivating the grassroots, is the only panacea to suicide, kidnapping, radicalism, killing and other criminal activities. This was the position of Uplifting Youths Through Agriculture, UYOTA, an initiative of Uplifting Women Through Farming, UWTF.
Founder and President of UWTF, Mrs Afoma Adigwe, told newsmen that except the Federal Government and other stakeholders mobilise the people through the royal fathers, the much-touted agric revolution will remain mere talk and crime will continue to rise. Mrs Adigwe, who was speaking at a briefing on the Thailand tour organised for royal fathers by UYOTA, said: “Thailand of about 60 million people is feeding Nigeria of over 180 million.
“Their late king, Bhumibol Adulyadej, was the catalyst, supported by the government. If monarchs are involved, they can make Nigerian youths stop running after white collar jobs or resorting to a life of crime.”
Some of the royal fathers that took part in the Thailand tour were Etsu Nupe, Yahaya Abubakar; Emir of Fika, Muhammadu Ibn Abali; Olufon of Ifon-Orolu, Alayeluwa Oba Al-Moroof Magbagbeola; Emir of Machina, Buka Al Bashir; Ndu I of Oriendu, Eze Philip Ajomiwe and the CEO of Farmers’ Delight, and Special Adviser to UYOTA, Mrs Toyin Jaiyeola, among others. Earlier, Adigwe added that a summit, where royal fathers, micro-finance banks, youths, the relevant government agencies and the private sector will meet and work out their roles in making the country self-sufficient.