Vice Chancellor Urges Nigerians To Farm To Reduce Food Inflation

The VIce Chancellor of Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo, Prof. Timothy Adebayo, has said prices of foodstuffs will continue to increase in Nigeria as long as an average Nigerian refuse to participate in growing crops.

He said this in Oyo on Monday while speaking on the sidelines of the press conference to herald the 12th and 13th convocation of the university.

The VC said growing of crops and rearing of livestock should not be left to farmers alone, saying individuals should also begin to plant vegetables and other crops at their backyards.

He said doing this would increase food production which he said would bring down the prices of foodstuffs.

Adebayo said, “We have Ajayi Crowther University Farm. The farm currently has 90 acres of cassava, four fish ponds with no less than ten thousand fingerlings in all. We have 20 thousand stands of pineapples, mini ranch with some cattle, apiary where ACU honey is produced, Nurseries where seedlings of economic trees others are raised.

“When we harvest and sell part of our produce to the people in the town.

” Cost of foodstuffs will continue to skyrocket as long as individuals do not plant anything. If you plant pepper at your backyard, you will not need to buy pepper when you harvest the ones you planted. By that, the pressure will reduce on the ones being sold. Everyone of us has to be involved in our own little way.”

The vice chancellor who is an agriculturist also urged the government to always ensure that incentives meant for real farmers did not end up with fake farmers.

Speaking on the convocation, he said 85 students graduated with First Class. He also said the university would confer doctoral degrees on Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State and two clergymen.

He said, “We have been compelled to make the conferment of degrees, a two-day event because of the number of students. Nine hundred and ninety (990) students graduated in 2019/2020 session while 1165 students graduated last session. This figure excludes postgraduate students.

“The 2019/2020 set produced 51 First Class graduates while 2020/2021 set has 34 first class graduates. We need to stress that our academic staff give quality time and attention to our students, resulting in improved academic performance.

“As you know, it is the tradition in universities to confer notable individuals with honorary degrees at convocations. For this year, the university Senate has agreed to honour the following people; Governor Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) of Ondo State; the Primate Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion). Most Reverend Henry C. Ndukuba, and the retired Archbishop of Lagos Province of Church of Nigeria, Most Reverend Dr. Ephraim Adebola Ademowo.

“These individuals have made immense contribution in their sphere of influence as clergymen and public servants. The university is giving them honorary degrees as an encouragement for them to continue to contribute positively to the society.”