As the maxim goes, the best way to predict the future is to invest in it now. Bar all odds, a future premised on a solid foundation through quality investments from inception is most likely to actualise its manifest destiny faster and quicker than the one deprived of nurture from the beginning.

Since the youth are the leaders of tomorrow (future) as often said, one of the best ways to secure the future of any nation is to invest in the development of its youth via formal and informal education that will imbue them with the necessary skill sets and relevant knowledge to find their path in life and also help contribute to the overall development of the country. 

The foregoing fittingly speaks to the latest intervention of Olam Agri, a leading player in the country's agricultural value chain and food manufacturing sector that supports the economic aspirations and efforts of the Federal Government, through its 'Seed for The Future Educational Grant Initiative, whose maiden edition was launched on Friday in Abuja, the nation's capital. 

The Vice President of the Federal Republic, His Excellency, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, was the company's Distinguished Guest at the unveiling ceremony which took place at the Lagos-Osun Hall, Transcorp Hilton, Abuja. Other dignitaries were Argentina's Ambassador to Nigeria, African Development Bank President (represented), Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, and Senator Babafemi Ojudu, among others. 

Speaking during the unveiling of the grant, Professor Osinbajo commended the board and management of Olam Agri for the grant, among other several impactful interventions of the company, noting that the launch of the programme gives us “several reasons to be hopeful and to celebrate”.

According to the VP, “the seeds you plant by investing in the whole agriculture value chain from research to people, especially disadvantaged women, that has attracted even greater attention leading to the National Productivity Order of Merit Award which was presented to you by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari. 

“The planting of these seeds shows your strong belief in the future of our country and its innovative and hardworking people. And how it is that the story of our country will ultimately yield fruits of prosperity, peace and decent livelihoods for all.”

Aside from the commendation, the VP also sympathized with the company over the recent flood that washed off a large swath of the rice farm in Nasarawa, one of the largest in the country - belonging to the company. The VP said the flooding was not only a huge loss to the company but also a big threat to food security in the country as the farm is one of the single largest rice farms and mills in the country.

He assured the company that the government is obliged to work with it to "restore that important agricultural resource. And I’m sure that as we engage, we will be able to find the opportunities and ways by which we can assist in bringing that resource back to full service.”

The Educational Grant Initiative for indigent and less privileged Nigerian undergraduates is one of Olam Agri's ways of making its impact felt in the country's education sector which is a pragmatic way to build the future Nigeria truly deserves. 

To be sure, the Educational Grant Initiative is one of the integral components of The Seeds for The Future Programme, which is Olam Agri Nigeria's signature value chain development initiative. The other major focus areas include supporting farms and farmers (improving local wheat production), enabling wider education & skill development for young people, empowering indigent women, and promoting health & nutrition across the country. 

The programme was launched in 2021 with a Wheat Seeds Trial Project. Through the project, the business is committing N300 million to wider research, wheat cultivation and key engagement to accelerate the attainment of national food security and human capital development. 

Within the past year, the business donated an irrigation facility to select smallholder women wheat farmers to drive productivity in the wheat-farming belts; it has also supported women in building capacity and upskilling in baking to improve women’s contributory roles to the economic development of Nigeria. 

It renovated a block of classrooms in Biyamusu Primary School in Ajingi Local Government Area of Kano State to provide a conducive learning environment for kids in that region. This has helped significantly to boost school enrolment thereby taking some kids off the streets.  

Because of the positive impact of the programme, in only one year of its existence, it has received several accolades, both local and international. None more important than the National Productivity Order of Merit Award, which was presented to the business by His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari. the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

It is important to also note that the wheat seeds trial project achieved its first-year milestone of producing 10Kg of pre-multiplication wheat seed varieties and was showcased by the Boston Consulting Group at the UN Climate Summit and was nominated for an international grant. 

Now a full-fledged Foundation, Seeds for the Future is extending its education portfolio intervention to include grants for students in tertiary institutions which is what the Education Grant initiative arm of the initiative seeks to cover. 

Olam Agri is not only providing quality and affordable food and fibre for Nigerians, which it has been doing for over three decades, but it is also helping to teach the people how to produce the food themselves via its education support grant programme. 

Ashish Pande, Country Head in Nigeria, during his opening remarks at the unveiling, encapsulated the essence of the grant when he said " ours is a rising firm that strongly believes in the knowledge economy, which is based on a solid educational foundation. Against this backdrop, we are establishing this educational grant assistance framework for young, talented Nigerians, bringing them closer to realizing their lofty ambitions while also accelerating the Federal Government's economic development objective. 

All in all, we are for our tomorrow giving our today. Olam was born in Nigeria and still believes in Nigeria

About the Author

Ade Adefeko is Vice President External Relations & Stakeholder Management Olam Agri