The Mary Slessor-AkanGlo Foundation has distributed free seedlings and other supports to farmers in Akwa Ibom state as part of its activities to mark the 2023 international youth day celebration on the theme “Green Skills for Sustainable Agriculture “
This year's international youth day has as its main theme "Green Skills For Youth: Towards A Sustainable World" and is marked across the world today, Saturday, August 12, 2023.
Speaking at the event, the President/Founder of the Foundation and former Dean of Akwa Ibom state Honorable Commissioners and Special Advisers, Dr. Glory Edet, said that the gesture was a conscious effort to identify with the theme of this year's celebration, but focuses on sustainable agriculture. She added that Green skills in the agricultural sector focuses on sustainable farming practices, agro-forestry, efficient management, etc.
"In this Foundation, we will be doing a lot to assist multiple-birth parents and children, the less-privileged, widows, orphans and also train our young ones in different entrepreneurial skills but for today, we are keying into this year's international youth day celebration and we are not only going to be training farmers but we are also distributing tomatoes seedlings and hybrid plantain suckers, free-of-charge.
She charged the beneficiaries to take advantage of the training to improve themselves and maximize their yield.
Also speaking, the Honorable Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Offiong Offor, lauded the initiative and impacts of the former state Agriculture boss and the Foundation. She enjoined the participants to take the training seriously.
In her remarks, the Coordinator of Mary Slessor- AkanGlo Foundation, Mrs. Jane Michael Essien while welcoming all present, stated that we can not have a sustainable society without agriculture, hence the need for our youths and everyone to be involved in agriculture. She added that the Foundation’s theme “Green Skills for Sustainable Agriculture” is taken from the 2023 youth celebration theme, but focus on sustainable agriculture.
In a goodwill message, the representative of AKS Youth in Agriculture, Prince Offiong said, “Dr. Glory Edet didn't have a Foundation when she started saving lives, I am a beneficiary of her magnanimity. When I had a fatal accident which my both legs were fractured it was Dr. Edet who paid for all my bills at Ibom Specialist Hospital and now, I'm okay".
The participating farmers were also trained on how to prepare vegetable nursery, how to plant with efficient management to maximize profit and maintain quality by the Resource person, Mr. Emmanuel Akpan .
Goodwill messages were given by the Chairman, All Farmers Association, Akwa Ibom State Chapter, Prince Bassey Inwang, Mrs. Benedict Udoekwere, Leader’s of different vegetable farming groups. All appreciated the Foundation for marking the day with the sub theme linked to agriculture, for the tomatoes seedlings, the training and hybrid plantain suckers.
The participants went home with tomatoes seedlings and hybrid plantain suckers.
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