The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) says it has established mechanised farms in the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory in a bid to hold its 40th anniversary.
The National President of the association, Mr Sunday Asefon made this known in Abuja on Wednesday at a news conference to mark its 40th anniversary scheduled to hold on April 28.
Asefon said that project tagged’ operation school to farm’ would be launched during its 40th anniversary.
He said that the objectives of the project was to contribute meaningfully to the concerted efforts of the federal and state government to tackle the worrisome problem of youths unemployment.
He added that it would also redirect the talents and abundant energies of the students especially in tertiary institutions away from internet fraud and other criminal activities.
He said that the association also proposed the establishment of students owned Incubation/Skill Acquisition Centers and Mechanised farm estates in all 36 states and FCT.
According to him, we will also launch the “Nigerian Students Travel safe and Cheap Scheme to ameliorate the sufferings of students and eliminate threat posed by kidnappers, armed robbers, bandits and carnage on our roads arising from motor accidents.
” The proposed launch of “Operation School to Farm” is a decisive and bold response of Nigerian students to President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive to all state governors to establish farm estates to boost food sufficiency.
” In view of this, we hereby call on President Buhari to urgently prevail on the 36 state governors, FCT minister, Ministers of Agriculture, Education, Trade and Investment, Labour and Productivity, Youths and Sports and concerned agencies of government to work together with NANS to bring the legacy Projects into fruition.
” We also call on the Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed and Governor of Central Bank, Godwin Emefiele to provide the needed financial backing and policy framework to ensure the success of the 3 Legacy projects,” he said.
The NANS President enjoined the organised private sector, federal and state governments, Nigeria Labour congress (NLC), mass media, traditional rulers and other well-meaning Nigerians to support the laudable initiatives.
He added that NANS would publish and launch a historical compendium during the anniversary celebration in order to raise funds to kick start the legacy