IITA-CGIAR, for its integrity in extensive research, expertise, and delivery of agricultural food solutions for economic development and food security, is gaining popularity in partnerships for agricultural, social, and economic development. Four representatives of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) Cooperative Society Limited visited IITA on 6 April to seek ways to engage ex-militants of the Niger Delta in gainful agricultural enterprises.
In the last 13 years, the Government of Nigeria has provided monthly remunerations for the Niger Delta agitators in a three-phase program designed to meet the needs of the aggrieved youth of the oil-exploited Niger Delta region. PAP representative Thomas Peretu said, “The third phase of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, the Reintegration Programme, is set to empower the ex-agitators with the resources they need to be independent and successful entrepreneurs. We are here to see the different opportunities available in the agricultural sector. Our eyes are particularly on rice, cassava, vegetables, palm oil, and whatever strengths you would have us leverage.”
Kenton Dashiell, Deputy Director General, Partnerships for Delivery (DDG-P4D), welcomed the team, introducing them to the contributions of IITA to food security and human capital development over the years. He said, “IITA had worked with youth in the Warri area and recorded huge success in empowering youth there.”
The team toured IITA’s facilities, projects, and deliverables in the Cassava, Plantain, and Banana units. They also visited the IITA Youth Agripreneur (IYA) Unit, which exposed them to insightful examples of youth participation in agriculture.
The team learned that IITA youth had implemented an agricultural empowerment project in the Niger Delta, a project sponsored by Chevron. They met one of the IYA youth who spent four years in the creek with the project’s beneficiaries, developing their agricultural, technical, soft, and entrepreneurial skills.
In a wrap-up session with Dashiell, the team commended IITA for its vast infrastructure, firm grip on the value chain of crops researched, and the presence and professionalism of all the staff met. Peretu made a special note to commend the intelligence and professionalism of the staff he interacted with during their tour, particularly the youth. “Every state in Nigeria should have a place like IITA,” he said.
In closing, both teams resolved to institute future partnership and collaboration arrangements between IITA and PAP, which would involve on-site training of trainers, identification of other key stakeholders, connection with sister institutes, and information resource sharing.
Contributed by Folake Oduntan
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