FOREMOST PHILANTROPIST, DR MIKE OMOTOSHO SPEAKS ON THE MIKE OMOTOSHO ANNUAL LECTURE, SAYS “AGRICULTURE HOLDS THE KEY TO OUR FUTURE”

BY MIKE CERUTTI OSAGIE  

The old philosophical cum motivational saying on marble, had it that “Success is a destination, not a destination” and that quote hold true of all great brands, institution and monuments that has not only lived the test of time, but whose legacy has outlived them, in more ways than one

The story of Kwara State born philanthropist and Rotarian, DR Mike Omotosho is no difference, for after the massive success of his last Annual lecture and book launching in Abuja, his foundation is now motivated that life is journey, hence the stage is now set for the grand January 14^th Annual Mike Omotosho lecture, billed for the prestigious Yar’Adua Centre ABUJA, Come Saturday 14^th January, billed to take place from 10a.m to 12 pm on the dot

Just last night, THE WORLD INDUSTRY MAGAZINE ONLINE  were privileged to have a short but impacting interview session with his at his imposing and purposeful SHI building in Jabi, Abuja, where he spoke on expectations of the 2017 lecture, the choice of Oni Of Ife as key note speaker and how this year’s lecture topic will benefit the average Nigeria, who cry recession, excerpt

Q: CONGRATS DR OMOTOSHO, PLEASE TELL US ALL ABOUT THIS YEARS MIKE OMOTOSHO ANNUAL LECTURE…

Thank you, let me tell you, Every year, the Mike Omotosho Annual Lecture for policy makers, professionals and leaders of thought to discuss and proffer efficient solutions and alternatives to pressing societal and developmental issues. 

This year's Mike Omotosho Annual lecture will dig dip into the Agricultural sector in view of unveiling opportunites available within and proposing solutions for lingering challenges in the Nigerian Agricultural sector towards a sustainable economic growth.
Th 2017 lecture will have in attendance professional, major players and policy maker such as;

- The Honourable Minister of Agriculture; Chief Audu Ogbe is the Chief Host
- Aare Afe Babalola CON, OFR, SAN (Chairman ABUAD Farms) will chair the event
- Alhaji Sani Dangote (President, Nigeria Agric Business Group) is the Special Guest of Honour while the Ooni of Ife; His Imperial Majesty, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi Ojaja II will deliver the keynote speech.

Q BEYOND THESE PEOPLE WHO ARE THE OTHER STAKE HOLDERS

Stakeholders and Agricultural development partners in Nigeria will be proffering Solutions to . They include;

- International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)
- Bank Of Agriculture (BOA)
- All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN)
- Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation (NAIC)
- Bank Of Industry (BOI)
- Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN)
- Nigerian Institute of Animal Science (NIAS)
- Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN - Development finance unit)

- Women Farmers Network (WOFAN)

Some of the this year's partners include
- AgroNigeria
- Smart Agriculture Solutions
- Burley Consulting
- Lolytee Nigeria Ent.

Attendance is open to all, please be my guest.

Venue: Musa Yar'Adua Centre,  Abuja.
Date:   Saturday 14th January, 2017.

Q: WHAT INSPIRED YOU INTO SUCH ANNUAL LECTURE

Well, that is interesting question, to start with, I have spent the better part of my life touching lives  all over, it has become my lifestyle; I touch widows, orphans and the mammoth  less privileged all over, not just in my state Kwara

This trait was to eventually continue when I became A Rotary Governor, that herculean seat saw me traveling all over doing same thing, impacting life, and do not forget every January 14^th which is my birthday used such day not for merriment with myself and family, I use that day to dedicate  being with masses, so since I HAVE been doing that myself and under Rotary, I felt it is only logical and practical that every January 14^th instead of just being with the less privileged or widows/orphans, why not face a very large crowd, the public and bring up topic of discussion that if well implemented by listening audience can change their lives for good, hence the motivation of the annual Mike Omotosho lecture

Q: THIS YEARS LECTURE WILL BE CENTERED ON AGRICULTURE, WHAT MOTIVATED IT?

The success of last year’s lecture which was chaired by Kaduna state Governor, Malam El- Rufai, and had guest from far and wide including no less a personality like Gen Wushishi among others was an eye opener, our topic of lecture was on wealth creation, but we were shocked to find out later that majority of the speaker dwelled on agriculture, agriculture  agriculture

That was very inspiring, and do not forget, our former Head of State, Chief Olusegun Aremu Obasanjo, once said that the future of this nation, rest not on oil, but on agriculture the second largest producers of egg and rice today are both Nigerians, so you will agree with us that our choice of having agriculture as the topic of discussion this year is most timely and we hope and pray that the lessons learnt will in no way help change the lives and focus of all and sundry

Q: WHY IS THE AVERAGE NIGERIAN YOUTH NURSING A PHOBIA FOR AGRICULTURE

That is very simple and I will tell you. It is primarily based on ignorance, for the average Nigerian is not properly fed with the advantages and benefits of agriculture

The scenario can be likened to the sayings that “the average mortal is always afraid of the unknown”. You will agree with me that what you know, and know deeply cannot kill you, neither can you nurse some fear for it, such is the story with the average Nigerian youths, they do not know much about agriculture, hence they are afraid to have it as a full fledged career, not knowing that that career they fear today is the oil of the tomorrow future

The youths of today must be enlightened on the benefit of them loving and taking agriculture as full fledge career, it is not a crime to do something different today to boost the low  or less-fancied image of agriculture among many youths today, for example we  have many private Universities, the Afe Babalola University; the Igbinedion University; the Elizade universities, so why not we come up, say with a full fledge agriculture University like the University of Cassava, where young student can learn all about the billions that come out from the end result of the Cassava circle? We must make every effort to change the perception our youths have on agriculture today, and we hope that the Mike Omotosho 2017 lecture, tagged: Agricultural sector in view of unveiling opportunites available within and proposing solutions for lingering challenges in the Nigerian Agricultural sector towards a sustainable economic growth."     will in no small way help change the bad mentality many nurse about agriculture

·         A Mike CERUTTI  Special Report

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