Abuja: The Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) has entered into a strategic partnership with Asset Rise Limited and Lancaster Farms by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at boosting food security and creating employment opportunities across Nigeria.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, NSE President Mrs. Margaret Oguntala, who also serves as the Chairman-in-Council, emphasized that addressing agricultural challenges is a primary focus for the NSE. The organization’s 2024 annual conference will center on sustainable engineering solutions to food security and climate change, highlighting the importance of this initiative. Oguntala stressed that partnerships form a crucial part of the society’s strategic agenda and that collaboration is key to fulfilling their mandates.
This partnership is expected to benefit both the NSE and its business partners. Oguntala expressed optimism that the collaboration would enhance activities within the NSE and contribute to the development of agriculture in Nigeri
a. She reiterated the society’s commitment to making food security a practical reality, emphasizing the importance of sustaining this partnership to create jobs for young engineers and increase food availability.
Mr. Oluwadurotimi Ojamamoye, Group Managing Director of Asset Rise Limited, outlined the company’s structural program designed to empower graduates by enabling them to own and cultivate their farms. The initiative aims to provide 1,000 hectares for students, with each graduate receiving one hectare to cultivate, thereby empowering over 1,500 students so far. Ojamamoye highlighted the significance of NSE’s support in achieving these goals and reducing youth migration by offering agricultural opportunities.
Asset Rise Limited is also advancing its Smart City project, encompassing 3,000 hectares with the ongoing planting of over 450,000 oil palm trees across Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, and Ondo states. This initiative focuses on sustainable agriculture as a solution to poverty, food insecurity, and unemployment
, while promoting rural urbanization in Nigeria. The organization is collaborating with the Enugu and Abia state governments to develop agro-smart cities on 7,000 and 10,000 hectares, respectively, and calls on other governments to support similar projects.
Dr. Anthony Odigie, Chairman of Lancaster Farms, praised the partnership with NSE as a significant milestone. He expressed confidence that the collaboration would enhance Lancaster Farms’ ability to deliver value to the agricultural sector and contribute to the Nigerian economy. Mr. Patrick Obidoyin, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Lancaster Farms, highlighted the MoU’s potential to empower more youths and reduce unemployment by integrating them into the agricultural workforce.