Agriculture Remains Life Wire of Humanity- Prof. Olarinde

In a gesture that celebrates hard work, practical learning, and the spirit of agrarian innovation, students from the Department of Agricultural Science, Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, paid a courtesy visit to the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. E. Smaranda Olarinde, FCArb, FCAI, presenting samples of maize harvested from their Farm as the “first fruits” of their labour.

The maize samples, cultivated and managed entirely by the students under the close supervision of their dedicated lecturers, represented the culmination of months of fieldwork and hands-on experience, an integral part of the department’s 400-level practical training.

The students were led by the Coordinator, Department of Agricultural Sciences, Dr. Iyanda Olumayowa Joseph, and his predecessor, Dr. Dayo-Olagbende Olufemi, and were warmly received by the Vice-Chancellor in her office.

In her remarks, Prof. Olarinde expressed admiration for the students’ commitment and applauded the department’s hands-on approach to agricultural education. She emphasized the urgent need for more Nigerians, particularly the youth, to embrace agriculture as both a vocation and a means of national transformation.

“We as a people need to get more involved in rewriting the prevailing narrative, as agriculture remains the lifeline of humanity and we need everyone to key into it which will in turn translate into more people choosing to offer the course,” she said.

Prof. Olarinde reaffirmed ABUAD’s capacity and readiness to produce world-class farmers, innovators, and agripreneurs who can drive food sufficiency across Africa and beyond.

“This University has all it takes to produce the best farmers in Nigeria, Africa, and the world. ABUAD has land, has leadership, and above all, has the best farmer, our Founder and Chancellor, Aare Afe Emmanuel Babalola, OFR, CON, SAN, a renowned agriculturist, the best in Ekiti, and one highly celebrated beyond Nigeria’s borders,” she noted.

She further highlighted that the diverse backgrounds of the students, drawn from different geopolitical zones of Nigeria, reflect ABUAD’s enduring commitment to unity, equality, and diversity in its academic programmes.

A proud farmer herself, Prof. Olarinde could not hide her joy as she offered words of encouragement and prayers for the students, urging them to pursue agriculture with greater passion.

“Take your course seriously, remain diligent, and continue to harvest the fruits that come with active involvement in agriculture,” she charged.

In response, the students comprising Abdulkareem Ameerah Morenikeji, Umeanor Natasha Chinenyenwa, Nwachukwu Tochukwu Michael, and Yanki Ominizibe Christian expressed deep appreciation for the Vice-Chancellor’s warmth, encouragement, and inspiring words, describing the encounter as a memorable experience that will remain indelible in their hearts.