By Adeola Kunle
The General Manager of Olam Nigeria Limited, Mrs Morenike Alayerogun, has called for a stronger partnership with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to advance aquaculture development while creating more opportunities for youth empowerment in Nigeria.
Alayerogun made the appeal when she led a delegation from the company on a courtesy visit to the NYSC National Directorate Headquarters in Maitama, Abuja.
She revealed that approximately 200 Corps Members were currently serving with Olam in different professional capacities. She said the company remained committed to supporting the Federal Government's nation-building efforts, youth development initiatives and the mentorship of Corps Members.
The Olam General Manager explained that the company had completed what she described as the largest research and development institute dedicated to aquaculture in Ilorin, Kwara State, as part of its expansion programme. She added that another factory was currently under construction in Asaba, Delta State.
According to her, Olam had also developed partnerships with universities across Nigeria to strengthen research, knowledge and capacity in aquaculture.
She disclosed that the company planned to bring experts from various universities to Ilorin for a one-year training programme. Following the training, the specialists would be deployed to farmers in different parts of the country to provide the necessary support.
Alayerogun stressed that equipping farmers with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills would improve the productivity and long-term sustainability of their aquaculture businesses.
She consequently requested the deployment of additional Corps Members to Olam's agricultural operations, particularly in Kwara State.
She also expressed the company's willingness to contribute to the Federal Government's ambition of expanding the Nigerian economy towards a one-trillion-dollar economy.
"We will accommodate and feed them, and after one year, we will attach them to our farmers all over the nation," she said.
Alayerogun further proposed a structured partnership between Olam and NYSC to train more Corps Members and prepare them for entrepreneurship. She explained that the beneficiaries could subsequently receive support from the Bank of Industry (BoI) to establish and grow their own businesses.
Responding, the NYSC Director General, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, described unemployment as a major global challenge, particularly among young people.
He noted that agriculture and agribusiness constituted important areas of the Nigerian economy, making Olam's activities in the agricultural sector particularly relevant to national development.
The NYSC Director General commended Olam for its contributions to the Nigerian economy and, specifically, its efforts to provide Corps Members with opportunities for professional growth and empowerment.
Nafiu stressed that NYSC Management was opposed to the misuse or underutilisation of Corps Members deployed to organisations. He therefore encouraged employers of Corps Members to ensure that they provided meaningful assignments and opportunities that would add value to their professional development.
"We want to thank you for the value addition to our Corps Members," the Director General stated.
He further explained that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) would be necessary to clearly outline the responsibilities and commitments of both organisations under the proposed partnership.
Nafiu emphasised that the security and welfare of Corps Members remained a major priority of the NYSC and would be given due consideration in any collaborative arrangement with Olam.
Adeola Kunle
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