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LANDMARK UNIVERSITY HOSTS 2016 ADAN AGROPRENEURSHIP WORKSHOP
Doyens of Agricultural Sciences and Engineering across Nigerian Universities converged at Landmark University, Omu-Aran for the 2016 Association of Deans of Agriculture in Nigerian Universities (ADAN) Workshop Opening Ceremony on the 10th May, 2016. The four-day workshop tagged, “Agropreneurship: A Veritable Tool for Food Security and Economic Prosperity,” was aimed at establishing agricultural entrepreneurial studies in all Faculties of Agriculture in Nigeria by developing curriculum for the training of potential agropreneurs on entrepreneurial skills, general management and accounting in agro projects in a bid to rescue the nation from the throes of food insecurity and unemployment.
Declaring the Workshop open on behalf of the Chancellor of the University, Dr. David O. Oyedepo, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Aize Obayan welcomed ADAN executives and participants to the Workshop. The Vice-Chancellor expressed her delight in the epoch-making event which she described as apt because it was convened at the time when the nation is in dire need of clear-cut solutions to the hydra-headed food insecurity that has debased the black race. She reiterated the place of agriculture in the life of a people; hence the need for the participants to leverage on the enabling platform created by the association, in collaboration with the University, for active engagement with a view to provoking relevant solutions. She therefore believed that, with the pedigree of the executives of the association and other participants “directions for change” would be mapped out for new frontiers in agricultural development.
While introducing the Association which has been in existence for 60 years, the President, Professor F. Morenike David-Abraham, said that it is expedient to organize the 2016 Workshop for the appraisal of existing agro-academic paradigms of various institutions in order to see how to factor in the immediate needs required for the nation to successfully surmount its food security challenge. The workshop would however ensure the implementation of the new vision of agropreneurship that is considered critical for the advancement of Nigeria through the development of uniform curriculum in the various fields of specialization in agriculture and enhance collaborations with relevant research institutes and bodies in the training of students of agriculture to be self-reliant.
With the belief that “it takes a youth to convince a youth that agriculture is a business,” the Keynote Speaker, Mr. Innocent Ogirinye – Founder/National Coordinator of Youth Initiative for Sustainable Agriculture (YISA) Nigeria and Chief Executive Officer of Magpaty Farms – who is a youth and farmer par excellence established in his keynote address on the theme of the Workshop that the youths are the future of agriculture. It becomes advantageous that they be encouraged to have apposite mindset towards agriculture by creating enabling environment and impacting the practical knowledge of agriculture on them. He added that more than any other sector of the economy, a sustainable growth in agriculture would yield a significant reduction in poverty; he therefore warned that realizing food security and economic prosperity would be a mirage without requisite commitment and appreciable input to agriculture. He advised that there must be the political will to build a sustainable economy on agriculture against the current hardship oil has put the nation in recent time. Other highlighted areas for agro-economic change include educational curricula addition of on-farm practical to match classroom theoretical postulations; Research to soil to verify research outcomes; access to market to reduce post-harvest losses; availability of farm technology and access to credit facilities to encourage young farmers, students researches should be contemporary and consulted for implementations among others.
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LANDMARK UNIVERSITYS LIFE APPLICABLE EDUCATION SYSTEM RECOGNIZED AS MAX AFRICA LAUNCHES INTERNSHIP PROGRAMME
Landmark University's distinctive approach to education, centred on life-applicable and life-transforming learning, received validation this week when representatives from MAX Africa visited the institution to seek collaboration for their second internship program. The visit underscored the high regard organizations have for Landmark’s graduates, known for their competence and productivity in the workplace.
During the meeting, MAX Africa's Chief Technology Officer, Mr Olusegun Leigh, unveiled the company’s new internship initiative designed to empower young innovators and leaders in Africa’s mobility sector. Leigh expressed admiration for Landmark University’s alumni, who, he noted, have consistently demonstrated exceptional dedication, resilience, and leadership within MAX Africa. He introduced Mr Kefas El-Olam, a graduate of Landmark University who is the Senior Product Manager, MAX. "Our first point of call for this new phase is Landmark University, primarily because of the exceptional value delivered by Landmark graduates who joined us in the first phase of the internship programme. Their resilience, ability to drive results, and leadership qualities have made a lasting impression," Leigh said, emphasizing how these qualities align with MAX Africa’s mission to address broader industry challenges by cultivating skilled professionals across the continent.
Adding to this, MAX Africa’s Digital Strategist, Mr Adewunmi Oshilaja, highlighted the soft skills and professionalism of Landmark’s graduates. “Beyond technical expertise, Landmark graduates have displayed strong leadership qualities and high standards of professionalism,” he stated. "The core of our strategy is to build well-rounded leaders. As much as we want our interns to gain hands-on experience, we are also committed to equipping them with skills in business communication, team management, and workplace etiquette.”
The upcoming three-month internship program was further detailed by MAX Africa's Human Resource Manager, Mrs Bosede Otaigbe, who described it as a transformative opportunity for participants. She noted that interns would receive intensive training in both technical and interpersonal skills vital for industry success. “Interns will be assigned responsibilities similar to full-time employees and will be evaluated at the end of the program. Those who excel will be offered full-time positions,” she announced. To facilitate applications, MAX Africa has provided QR codes for interested students, who will undergo a thorough screening process to ensure that only the most qualified candidates are selected.
In response, the Vice-Chancellor of Landmark University expressed appreciation to MAX Africa for recognizing the university’s talents and choosing Landmark as a major recruitment partner. He attributed the leadership qualities displayed by students to the legacy of Chancellor Dr David Oyedepo and affirmed the university’s confidence in the students' readiness to embrace this opportunity. He also highlighted Landmark University’s recent recognition as Nigeria's second-best university in the Times Higher Education rankings, further showcasing the institution’s commitment to excellence.
The Registrar also conveyed gratitude to the MAX Africa team and assured them of Landmark University's full support in achieving the program’s goals. Other members of the university’s management expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, seeing it as a significant step towards advancing opportunities for students, the university, and Africa at large.
Others in attendance at the meeting were the Chaplain, Pastor Popoola; the Dean of Students, Dr Abimbola Oluyori; the Sub-Dean of Student Affairs, Mr Noah Olaibi; the Student Development Officer, Mr Daniel Emmanuel and the HRBP, Compensation & Benefits, and City Manager, Ilorin, MAX, Mrs Adebimpe Alabi.
Members of the Landmark University management and the Max Africa team in a group photograph after the meeting
R-L: The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kolawole; the Registrar, Engr Adebayo Ajala; the Dean of Students, Dr Abimbola Oluyori; the Sub-Dean of Student Affairs, Mr Noah Olaibi during the meeting with Max Africa
MAX Africa's Chief Technology Officer, Mr Olusegun Leigh while speaking on the new internship programme
The Max team with the Landmark University Student Development Officer, Mr Daniel Emmanuel (L)
The Student Development Officer, Mr Daniel Emmanuel introducing Max Africa to the student community
Max Africa’s HR Manager, Mrs Bosede Otaigbe while speaking to the students of Landmark University on the internship programme
The Max Africa team interacting with Landmark University student community
Max Africa’s Senior Product Manager, Mr Kefas El-Olam while speaking to the students of Landmark University on his experience as a student of the University and during the internship programme
Registration point for Max Africa’s internship programme at Landmark University
