Chief Audu Ogbeh, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development has said that the Central Bank of Nigeria will contribute N3bn to the proposed agricultural intervention project at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife,  Osun State.

Ogbeh, who said this at a public forum in OAU, urged the university community to contribute their quota to government’s initiative to diversify the nation’s economy.

The minister, who lamented the untold hardship in the country, pleaded with Nigerians to be patient with the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration in its efforts to turn around the fortunes of the country.

Ogbeh advised Nigerian youths to embrace agriculture as a way out of the economic recession facing the country and urged educational institutions in the country to partner the government in its effort to reposition agriculture in the country.

According to him, the country’s economy has been sick for more than 40 years as a result of its dependence on crude oil at the expense of other sectors.

Dr. Yemi Ogunbiyi, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, OAU Governing Council, in his address, stated that the university was ready to partner the ministry to move agriculture forward as the institution had both the manpower and natural resources to support the programme and make OAU the food basket of the nation.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Tope Ogunbodede, who commended the minister’s support for the proposed project, thanked Ogunbiyi for facilitating the town hall meeting.

PUNCH