The Cross River State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), in collaboration with the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), has organised a one-day career talk to encourage pupils to embrace agriculture as a viable career path and explore opportunities in the sector.
The programme, themed “Rooted in Passion: Finding Your Super Power in Agriculture,” was designed to promote agricultural education, practical skills and entrepreneurship among learners while highlighting the sector’s contributions to food security, job creation and sustainable economic development.
The Chairman of SUBEB, Mrs Fidelia Okpo Ene, represented by Board Member Two, Mrs Theresa Essien, said the programme was aimed at inspiring pupils to explore the numerous opportunities in agriculture and appreciate its importance to economic growth and sustainable development.
Essien described agriculture as a vital sector with enormous potential for food security, employment generation and wealth creation. She urged pupils to develop a positive attitude towards agricultural education, noting that “agriculture should be seen as a viable career path and not merely an academic subject.”
She encouraged the learners to embrace innovation, creativity and practical agricultural skills, stressing that the future of the sector depended largely on the interest and commitment of the younger generation. She reaffirmed the Board’s commitment to initiatives that promote quality basic education and equip pupils with relevant knowledge and skills for self-reliance.
The UBEC State Coordinator, Dr Omuta Obanovwe, emphasised the importance of agricultural education in equipping learners with practical skills, entrepreneurial knowledge and the right mindset to become self-reliant. He explained that the Agricultural Education Training Programme was designed to expose pupils to the vast opportunities in agriculture and stimulate their interest in farming and related ventures from an early age.
Obanovwe stressed that agriculture extended beyond traditional farming to include diverse fields capable of generating employment and contributing to economic growth. He urged teachers and school administrators to sustain pupils’ interest through hands-on learning, noting that “agricultural education must go beyond classroom instruction to give learners practical experience and the skills to become self-reliant.”
He added that early exposure to agricultural opportunities would help nurture innovative young people capable of contributing to food security, wealth creation and sustainable development in Cross River State and Nigeria at large.
The Director of Academic Services, Mrs Caroline Ana, described agriculture as indispensable to human survival, noting that food production remained essential to the wellbeing of individuals and communities. She said the sector offered numerous employment opportunities for young people and served as an important source of livelihood for individuals and families.
Emphasising the importance of agricultural production, Ana declared, “No farmer, no food; no food, no life.” She urged pupils to recognise the value of agriculture and explore its potential as a rewarding career that could improve their livelihoods while contributing to societal development.
The event featured presentations by facilitators and goodwill messages from the Secretary of the State Committee of the Young Farmers Club, Mr Theophilus Lebo, and other participants, who highlighted the importance of introducing children to agricultural practices and opportunities early in life.
The initiative underscores the commitment of SUBEB and UBEC to broadening pupils’ educational experiences beyond classroom instruction and equipping them with practical knowledge and skills to promote self-reliance, entrepreneurship, food security and sustainable development.
By Offiong Itang
