Leventist Foundation Nigeria Agricultural Training Schools graduated 86 Ijesa trainees in a first of its kind ceremony

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All the trainees from the Ijesa Community Development Assembly (ICDA) collaboration with Leventist Foundation Agricultural Training School, Ilesa, Osun State who commenced their training 10 months ago (which is 80% practical and 20% theory) have graduated at the school's 30th graduation ceremony held on Thursday the 12th of December 2025 within its school premises.

It will be recalled that ljesa Community Development Assembly (ICDA) under the leadership of Asiwaju Yinka Fasuyi, Asiwaju of Ijesaland early this year, as part of its Human Capital Development Programme, partnered with Leventist Foundation to empower the Ijesa youths in agribusiness.

At the Thursday graduation ceremony 85 out of the total of 96 students that graduated are from all the six LGAs in Ijesaland. They successfully completing their respective training in Crop Production; Animal Husbandry; Fishery; Poultry and Piggery; Vegetable and Fruits, Cash Crops; Agric Engineering ; Beekeeping; and are ready to begin to create value to the economy of Ijesaland, Osun State, and Nigeria and by extension contribute to Food Security in the country.

In his opening speech, the Principal of the school Dr. Muhedeen Yinka Popoola acknowledged and thanked ICDA that came to the rescue of the school by entering into partnership with its Management to safe the school from imminent closure.

"I want to express my profund gratitude to Asiwaju of Ijesaland for facilitating this milestone partnership and his absolute support for the school. I thank ICDA for providing significant fund for supporting the Leventist Foundation in successfully running the school this year. I appreciate Chairman of Egbe Atunluse of Ijesaland because he was the initiator of this partnership." Dr Popoola remarked

Also speaking at the ceremony, Dr. Felix Obhiye Obinyan who represented the Dr. Hope Usieta, Leventist Foundation Nigeria, Executive Director described the ceremony as the first of its kind in Nigeria.

"Training in Agriculture is not a cup of tea. As you take the next step into the larger society, I urge you to keep up the spirit of hard work and dedication and put the knowledge and skills you have acquired into good use. We shall continue to liaise with your community and state government for more support, and to ensure that you settle down quickly into productive agriculture.' Dr Obinyan said in his advice to the graduating trainees.

The ICDA Chairman, Asiwaju Yinka Fasuyi while addressing the gathering consisting of royal majesties from the six local government areas of Ijesaland, Special Assistant to Osun State governor on Agriculture, Hon. Olaniyan Akanfe, Ijesa sons and daughters that represented various interest groups, Societies, Clubs and organisations across Ijesaland said that the initiative to partner with the Leventist Foundation Agricultural Training School, Nigeria arose from the need to reduce unemployment and poverty among the youth in Ijesaland by attracting them to Agriculture as well as training and supporting them to adopt improved, eco-friendly farming practices and technology aimed at reducing drudgery while increasing the national food security and ensuring enhanced sustainable livelihoods.

Asiwaju Yinka Fasuyi also gave hints on ICDA idea for sustainable exit plan for graduated students.

As part of the initiative of the ICDA to beautify the graduation ceremony, Asiwaju Yinka Fasuyi also volunteered to produce the graduation gowns and caps worn by the graduands and to be used by subsequent graduating trainees at Ilesa Leventist Foundation Training School.

Also, the Chairman of Egbe Atunluse of Ijesaland, Prof. Olu Obi implored the graduands to imbibe the spirit of self control which he described as the key of life and to be hardworking as Ijesa people generally are not identified with laziness.

The graduation lecture was delivered by Dr. Abiodun Olasore.

The highlights of the graduation ceremony also featured presentation of awards and prizes to overall best male student, overall best female student and best graduands in Crop production, Livestock, Agric. Engineering, Agro-forestry, Rural Enterprise development, Agric. Engineering, Value Addition, fishery, Agribusiness, Bee-keeping, Poultry, Piggery.

In his goodwill message, the Special Assistant to Osun State governor on Agriculture, Hon. Olaniyan Akanfe promised a continuous support of the state government in the area provision of inputs to the school as he encouraged the graduating trainees to hit the ground running.

The President of Ijesa South Council of Traditional rulers, HRM Oba kehinde Oyeleye, Ogboni of Ipole-Ijesa advised the Ijesa sons and daughters beneficiaries to make good use of the opportunity afforded them by the Leventist Foundation Agricultural School intensive training in agric-business.

Coverage, script✍️ camera📸 credit: Oladimeji Lasore +2347035105413 [email protected]

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