Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State on Wednesday urged students in the state to embrace agriculture and see it as a catalyst for food security and wealth creation.
He also emphasized the need for them and the entire residents to cultivate the habit of planting trees, protecting green spaces, and avoiding indiscriminate waste disposal in the schools and across communities.
A statement made available to Team@orientactualmags.com by Mrs Aminah Abiola Atere noted that the governor said this in Ilorin during the flag-off ceremony of the Inter-Local Government Quiz Competition on Agricultural Education Training Programme (AETP) and the official launch of the Environmental Sustainability Club through Tree Planting in the state.
‘This event represents two critical pillars of our administration’s development agenda: quality education and environmental sustainability. It is particularly gratifying to see our young learners at the centre of this initiative.
These children are the future leaders, innovators, farmers, scientists, and environmental stewards who will shape the destiny of our state and nation.
We are encouraging them to see agriculture not merely as a means of subsistence but as a modern, technology-driven sector capable of creating wealth, ensuring food security, and driving economic growth’ he said.
The 2-legged event was organized by the State Universal Basic Education Board (KWSUBEB).
The governor noted that the initiative aligns with his government’s efforts to strengthen climate-smart agriculture and agricultural capacity development in the state.
Governor AbdulRazaq added that the Inter-Local Government Quiz Competition is more than an academic exercise but a platform for intellectual engagement, innovation, and healthy competition among students from across the sixteen local government areas.
‘The trees we plant today symbolise life, hope, resilience, and our collective responsibility to protect the environment’ the governor, who was represented by KWSUBEB Chairman, Prof Sheu Raheem Adaramaja, added.
He also noted that beyond beautifying our surroundings, trees improve air quality, prevent soil erosion, absorb carbon emissions, and contribute to a healthier ecosystem for future generations.
Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Dr Lawal Olohungbebe was represented at the event by Director of School Services in the ministry, Mrs Osanupin Olubunmi while other dignitaries at the event include APC state Woman Leader , Hajia Falilat Ronke Mohammed; Kwara Central Senatorial Chairman, Alhaji Mahmud Tunrawa; Local Government Education Secretaries, Coordinator, Adaramaja Women Alliance, Hajia Rafat Ajao Gomi; representatives of the Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS) and the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), and students.
Prof Adaramaja, whose speech was delivered by the Director of Administration, Alhaji Abdulateef Sholagberu, said the occasion represents another significant milestone in the collective efforts to strengthen basic education through practical learning, environmental responsibility, and the promotion of agricultural knowledge among the learners.
He said the Agricultural Education Training Programme (AETP) has been carefully designed to expose pupils to modern agricultural concepts and practices, stimulate their interest in farming and agribusiness.
He, however, requested contractors who recently secured contracts with the state government for school construction/rehabilitation to make sure they germinate trees in their sites before delivering the projects.
At the end of the quiz competition, where at least 19 public basic school students had participated, Torkuma Perfect (St Anthony Secondary School) got the first prize and went home with N500,000. Ibeh Daniel (also from St Anthony) was the first runner-up and he received N250,000, while Abdulrahman Thani Fatimah from Queen Elizabeth School got N100,000 as the second runner-up.
One of the highlights of the event was the practical demonstration of tree planting by school children.Team@orientactualmags.com Do you have any information you wish to share with us? Do you want us to cover your event or programme? Kindly send SMS to 08035023079, 08059100286, 09094171980 or get in touch via orientactualmag@gmail.com. Thank you
