By Femi Dansu
The British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation (BATNF) has granted 1.5 million Naira each to four Graduate Agripreneurs from the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) totaling 6 Million in all.
The event climaxed the Phase III of the FUNAAB-BATN Graduate Agripreneurs programme, held on May 23, 2024, at the 300-Seater Lecture Theatre (Auditorium 1), College of Agricultural Management and Rural Development (COLAMRUD) Phase II Building.
Following the submission period, nine applicants with the best documentation and Business Plans were selected to pitch their ideas via PowerPoint presentations, and four were awarded the grants.
The Awardees were, Miss Oluwafunmilayo Adegboyega and Mr. Oluwaseun Akosile for Broiler Production; Mr. Johnson Fashina for Fish Farming, and Mr. Oluwayomi Olajide for Catfish Farming.
Representing the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Babatunde Kehinde, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development), Prof. Kola Adebayo, noted that 46 applicants had been narrowed down to nine finalists.
The Vice-Chancellor highlighted the competitive nature of the selection process, commending BATNF’s consistent support, which has now expanded the beneficiaries to four.
Prof. Kehinde added that the Committee’s decision was based on the participants’ presentations, which, according to him, “Was a keenly contested process.”
He further stated that participants’ presentations were evaluated for their entrepreneurial skills, innovation, business relevance, financial projections, and presentation skills.
In his speech, the General Manager, BATNF, Mr. Oludare Odusanya enumerated the criteria used for evaluation, including the capacity of the agripreneurs, evidence of entrepreneurial skills, and the uniqueness and logic of their Business Plans.
Miss Aderanti Oni, a BATNF Phase II grant recipient for Broiler Production, shared her success story, attributing her passion for a healthy nation to her interest in agriculture.
According to her, she has completed two production cycles, and currently in her third since receiving the grant.
Other participants included Akeem Adeyemi, Moses Abayomi, Akinola Usman, and Bolaji Ololade.
On the panel of judges were notable University and BATNF officials, including the representative of the Ag. Registrar and the Council Affairs Officer, Mr. Adewusi Agbotoba; representative of the Ag. Bursar, Mrs. Comfort Dasaolu; Dean, College of Agricultural Management and Rural Development (COLAMRUD), Prof. Emmanuel Fakoya; Dean, College of Plant Science and Crop Production (COLPLANT), Prof. Jonathan Atungwu; representative of the Dean, College of Environmental Resources Management (COLERM) and the Deputy Dean, Dr. Akeem Makinde, and the Head of Department, Agricultural Extension and Rural Development (AERD), Prof. Petra Abdulsalam-Saghir.
Others present were the Coordinator of FUNAAB-BATNF, Dr. Azeez Yusuf and the Principal Assistant Registrar, DVCD’s Office, Mrs. Folasade Giwa.
Other team members from BATNF included the Project Manager, Mr. Adetola Oniyelu; Communications Manager, Mrs. Damilola Yomi-Faseun; Finance Manager, Miss Chizoma Agbaegbo and the Administrative Manager, Miss Ibhade Imoloame.
