Date: 2016-12-01

The Agricultural and Rural Management Training Institute (ARMTI), Ilorin, will today hold its 19th Annual Lecture Programme entitled; 'Youth in Agriculture; Possibilities and Opportunities for Sustainable Agricultural Business in Nigeria.

According to the ARMTI Public Relations Officer (PRO) Mr Mayowa Gidado yesterday in Ilorin, the Guest Lecturer at the event, is Hon. Paul Okpue, Managing Director/ CEO Paul Okpue Farms Asaba, Delta State.

Discussant at the event, fixed for 10am at the campus of the institution, is Mr Kunle Obayan Acting Director General of National Directorate of Employment (NDE).

Gidado added, "the programme serves as an avenue for ARMTI to fulfil one of its mandates, which is to contribute to policy development to enhance better management of the agricultural and rural sector in Nigeria.

The programme is expected to attract policy makers, practitioners, academics and other stakeholders to brainstorm on and address the identified topical issue in the sector that has been placed on the front burner this year.

The Lecture series has attracted several notable personalities in the past, like Major General Agbazika Innih, Rear Admiral Murtala Nyako, Dr. Bukola Saraki, Dr. Ishrait Husain (World Bank), Dr. Louise Setswaelo (FAO Country Rep.), Chief Olusegun Obasanjo among others.

The programme this year would also coincide with two ongoing courses In ARMTI at the time: the special course on "Everything you ever Wanted to know about Sweetpotato" and the "Youth Empowerment Scheme in Agribusiness" entrepreneurial and management training which would also gather about 70 youths who would be a useful addition to the Annual Lecture.