Olam Farms Seeks NYSC Partnership to Expand Aquaculture, Empower Corps Members
Oru Leonard
Olam Nigeria Limited has sought a partnership with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), to strengthen aquaculture development, expand youth empowerment opportunities and support Nigeria’s agricultural growth.
The General Manager of Olam Nigeria Limited, Mrs Morenike Alayerogun, made the request when she led a delegation of the company on a courtesy visit to the NYSC National Directorate Headquarters in Maitama, Abuja.
Alayerogun disclosed that about 200 Corps Members were currently serving with Olam in various fields, stressing that the company remained committed to supporting the Federal Government’s efforts in nation-building, youth development and mentorship.
She said Olam had completed what she described as the biggest research and development institute for aquaculture in Ilorin, Kwara State, while another factory was under construction in Asaba, Delta State.
According to her, the company had also established partnerships with universities across the country to strengthen research, training and development in the aquaculture sector.
She explained that Olam planned to bring specialists from universities to Ilorin for a one-year training programme, after which the beneficiaries would be deployed to farmers across the country to provide practical support.
“We will accommodate and feed them, and after one year, we will attach them to our farmers all over the nation,” she said.
Alayerogun said the initiative was aimed at equipping farmers with the theoretical and practical knowledge required to improve productivity and ensure the sustainability of their aquaculture businesses.
She consequently requested the deployment of more Corps Members to Olam’s operations, particularly in Kwara State, where the company is expanding its aquaculture activities.
The Olam executive also proposed a partnership with NYSC to train Corps Members who could subsequently receive support from the Bank of Industry (BoI) to establish their own businesses.
She said the initiative would contribute to the Federal Government’s ambition of growing Nigeria’s economy towards the one-trillion-dollar target.
Responding, the NYSC Director-General, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, described unemployment as a global challenge affecting young people and stressed the importance of creating opportunities that would equip them with skills for self-reliance.
Nafiu said agribusiness remained a significant component of Nigeria’s economy, noting that this underscored the relevance of Olam’s agricultural investments and programmes.
He commended the company for its contributions to the Nigerian economy and its efforts to empower Corps Members through workplace experience and mentorship.
The NYSC Director-General also cautioned against the misuse or underutilisation of Corps Members by organisations to which they are deployed.
“We want to thank you for the value addition to our Corps Members,” he said.
Nafiu explained that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) would be required to clearly define the responsibilities of NYSC and Olam under the proposed partnership.
He stressed that the security and welfare of Corps Members remained a priority for the Scheme.
The meeting is expected to pave the way for structured collaboration between NYSC and Olam in aquaculture training, youth entrepreneurship, agricultural development and the deployment of Corps Members to relevant agricultural operations.
(NYSC Media)
