By Dipo Olowookere
US Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Stuart Symington, has commended the IITA Youth Agripreneurs (IYA) program, saying he is convinced and compelled to share the ‘Farming is cool’ gospel of the IYA with the rest of the world.
“I will join in telling your stories to the world. They are worth sharing, and I will do so to prospective investors.
“IITA has finally provided an answer to the lingering question of how to make agriculture cool and attractive for people to embrace as a business,” Mr Symington stated.
The US envoy was at the IITA on Monday, June 19, 2017 alongside his team from the consulate office to see and understand the impact of the Institute’s research and technology in the development of Africa’s agriculture.
After being taken round by the Director General of the IITA, Mr Nteranya Sanginga, the American Ambassador said, “I want you, for the rest of your lives, to think of how you will feed not yourself alone but how you will outscale this and extend the benefit of what you have learned within the premises of this institution to others who do not have the opportunity of being here.
“Always think of growing Nigeria because you are the greatest gift Nigeria has and if you move with your ideas, the world will feel you move. That for me means development for Africa.”
He praised the IITA boss for the dynamism in the institute’s strategy of attracting young graduates into agriculture.