The Director General of NYSC, Major General Shuaibu Ibrahim has lauded the one year intensive training initiative of the Leventis Foundation, Nigeria for corps members in Agribusiness.

Major General Shuaibu gave the commendation at the graduation ceremony of the first set of Corps members who had undergone the training in practical Agriculture and Agribusiness at the prestigious Leventis Foundation Agricultural Training School in four States, namely: Osun, Kano, Gombe and FCT.

Speaking on Monday at the ceremony which held in Ilesha, Osun State, the Director General who was represented by the State Coordinator, Mrs Winifred Shokpeka, commended the Foundation for partnering with the NYSC and the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development in enhancing the empowerment and self reliance of corps members. According to him, the Scheme's drive towards ensuring socio-economic development through the empowerment and training of graduate youths to be self reliant birthed the significant step taken by the NYSC and the LFN.

He stated that NYSC will continue to support the Federal Government policy on Agriculture and food security through the reinvigoration of NYSC farms across the country and robust training of more Agro-prenuers. "It is my hope that strategic partnerships with LFN and other Agricultural institutes will lead to new horizons in the achievement of this policy," he said.

The Major General described Agriculture as the future of the nation and therefore urged the graduands to use the skills learned to contribute to the development of the Sector in the country and to step down the knowledge acquired to other aspiring Agro-prenuers and people of their host community as this will go a long way to reduce hunger, poverty and unemployment in the community.

" I want to congratulate the graduating Corps members for being the pioneer set of this reputable programme. Fellow compatriots, as you are aware, Agriculture is the future of this great Nation.

" I therefore urge you to use this skill to contribute to the growth of Agriculture in Nigeria, step down this knowledge to other aspiring Agroprenuers and develop the host community in which your businesses will domicile" he added.

In time past, a Memorandum Of Understanding was signed by the Leventis Foundation and the NYSC to empower corps members through their regular one-year training programme on Agribusinesses and Agriculture, such as poultry, rabbitery, crop production, fishery, snailry, cassava production, palm tree production, among others.

Forty (40) corps members were trained nationwide by the Foundation in Osun, Gombe, Kano and Fct. Osun State graduated eleven corps members comprising 6 males and 5 females who did their primary assignment with the Foundation while undergoing the intensive training.

The ceremony also had in attendance the Assistant Director Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development, Mr Aleshinloye Adeniyi, the LGI of Ilesa East, Mr. Sobalaje, other corps members, invited guests and well wishers who witnessed the presentation of Certificates to the graduands.