University Don tasks govt to make Agricultural studies compulsory for all students

A university Don, Professor Remigius Oyebode Famiwole has tasked the government to make Agricultural science compulsory for all students in junior classes and science students in all public and private secondary schools in Nigeria.

This, the Don said would combat the teething challenge currently facing practical Agricultural education, which is described as a pre-vocational and vocational subject in the educational system.

The Varsity lecturer gave the submission yesterday when he delivered the 85th inaugural lecture at the Ekiti State University, EKSU, Ado-Ekiti.

The Don during the lecture titled, ’Dynamics of Agricultural Science And Agricultural Education Pedagogies: The Missing Link Leverage’, stated that most of the agricultural practices in the country especially in the rural areas are done by old farmers.

“The old farmers are now getting older and dying off. There have never been enough youths in Agriculture who are willing or skilled to go into production agriculture or agri- preneurship, to replace those who are leaving the world of agriculture”

Famiwole said only trained and professional teachers of Agriculture should be allowed by the government to teach the subject in all secondary schools.

The inaugural lecturer said: “Activities of teachers and students on the school farm should be evaluated periodically by the school authorities and other relevant government agencies.

“The PTA, philanthropists and successful agro-based businessmen should fund school farm development through donations of farm resources or funds.

“The Board of Vocational and Technical Education in each state of the federation should in collaboration with other agencies of government be responsible for evaluating all the pre-vocational and vocational subjects in secondary schools in Nigeria”.

In his remarks, EKSU Vice Chancellor, Prof. Edward Olanipekun appreciated the lecturer for the impactful thesis with a charge on the people to embrace Agriculture.

Olanipekun said, “it is high time we all embrace Agriculture, I have a garden at home where we harvest from time to time, by the time I retire in a few days time, I will be a full-time farmer. I appreciate the lecturer, he has paid the price, it’s left for others to do the needful on impactful lectures, you cannot force anybody, it’s a matter of interest to come and showcase to the audience what you have contributed to scholarship.

“I am challenging my colleagues, come and showcase to the whole world your contribution to scholarship and let’s translate our research findings to a practical thing that will impact society.

“There is a lot of wrath in the system. In EKSU, I was able to combat the people giving us bad names. I handle them very well, it’s one of the legacies, I was able to leave behind. I used to say I would not cover anybody who goes against the extant rules of the university,” Olanipekun said.