Date: 2016-08-23

Mr Benson Ayetoro, Chief Executive, Abbacon Investments Limited, says the company is ready to collaborate with the University of Ilorin to tackle youth unemployment and food insecurity in the country.

Ayetoro stated this on Monday in Ilorin when he led a delegation of Chinese investors on a visit to the University's management to finalise agreement between the institution and his company.

He added that considering the savannah grassland nature of Kwara, investors would be attracted to the state. The chief executive said his interest was borne out of the desire to genuinely and speedily empower youths in the country and in Kwara state in particular.

He said his company was ready to collaborate with the University to facilitate transfer of knowledge and technology, especially in areas of agriculture and development of agricultural infrastructure. This, according to the chief executive, would ensure higher output, improved productivity, increased yields and more money to Nigeria.

Ayetoro maintained that there would be less room for crime if youths were properly and gainfully engaged. "If you allow us, it may not be of immediate direct benefit to me and you, but to our future generations," he said.

The Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. AbdulGaniyu Ambali, who was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Sidikat Ijaiya, in his response, commended the patriotism of Ayetoro.

He said that the university was interested in the development of agriculture, adding that land and water resources required for farming would not be a problem.