Oyemekun Grammar School “Go Green”, Become First School To Grow, Harvest Onions in Ondo State

By Dupson Collins, 5th October, 2022

The slogan of Oyemekun Grammar School, Akure as “the only school” in Ondo State was once proven by the school authority with the growth and harvest of basket of Onions from the school garden.

There’s this general believe before now that, Onions can only grow in the Northern region of the country, but the narrative has changed with Onions farm of Oyemekun Grammar School.

Speaking at the maiden harvesting of the Onions, the visionary principal of the school, Mr. Ogunleye Okeowo said the Onions plantation is one of the many agricultural projects the school has embarked upon over the years.

‘’The school is breaking grounds in different agricultural sectors; within the onset of this year’s planting season till now, we have harvested about two hectares of maize, tomatoes, palm oil, tubers of yam and presently, we have two hectares of maize and cassava.

We have also planted cow pea and Roselle, in addition to crop farming, the school has a large expanse of land apportioned for piggery and poultry farming”, the Principal disclosed.

The Principal stated that the school authority key into different agricultural practices due to the directives of the Honorable Commissioner of Education who instructed all schools to ‘‘Go Green” and Oyemekun Grammar School being the pacesetter simply comply with the government Policy and the results were huge harvest from the school farm land.

“The Honourable Commissioner for Education said every school environment should “Go Green” making adequate use of the school’s environment to plant crops that will be of benefits to the society both for food and for economic purposes; Oyemekun Grammar School is simply complying with the Government Policy of “Go Green”.

Ogunleye added that, the government policy has brought in a lot of benefits to the school as the plantation serves as teaching aid and practical for students studying Agriculture as a subject.

“Some of the produce from the school garden had been used to compliment the feeding of our students in the boarding hostel, selling of maize and cassava which is another source of income to the school; asides this, school environment is also save from unwanted weeds as a result of crop plantations”, he stated.

He thanked the Governor and Commissioner of Education for exposing the school to agriculture, saying they were able to demonstrate to the students that they can be self-reliant making use of the resources within the school premises.

While soliciting assistance from the government through the Commissioner and Agricultural Development Project (ADP), he said agricultural grant in form of inputs and mechanization will further boost and encourage agricultural practices among the students.

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Ogunleye appreciates the resource person from ADP, Mr. Akinjoye Duyilemi for his commitment and introduction of Onions and Roselle Plantation to the school.

“We will not fail to give kudos to the Seven Members of the Agricultural Committee team led by Mrs. Oyedokun Temitope and other members for a good job”.

The Principal charged other schools to emulate Oyemekun Grammar in promoting Agriculture among the students, saying the future of the country lies in Agriculture.

In his goodwill message, Mr. Babasola Adeniyan, ADP Prograamme Manager, commended the school for the giant strides recorded in Agriculture, saying it is timing mostly at this time of economy meltdown.

Adeniyan said Ondo State is blessed with fertile land that can grow any crop, adding that Ondo State area of strength as people and state lies in Agriculture.

“It is high time all schools in the state key into the “Go Green” policy of the State Government”.

He encouraged the young ones to embrace agriculture, noting that professionals and politicians are investing their resources into agriculture.

The Zonal Education Officer said the commissioner has always laid emphasis on Agriculture in school, saying the outcome of the meeting held with school heads have begun to yield results.

He commended the school for keying into the Go Green policy of the present government, also thanking ADP for guiding the students on how to plant onions and other crops.

The ZEO corrected the impression that Agriculture is for the poor and under privileged in the society, adding that farmers need to be celebrated as the provider of food, rather than looking down on them.

While congratulating the Principal for setting Pace in everything, he said Mr. Ogunleye has become a reference point to all schools and principals.

“You stand out among your colleagues and you must continue in that stead. You are Mr. Pacesetter and we are encouraged with your good work”.

On his part, Mr. Akinjoye Duyile, Extension Officer from ADP said the need to catch them young is paramount to ADP, happy that the students of the school are learning new innovation and begin to show interest in farming.

While explaining the process involved in planting Onions from nursery to point of maturity, he added that Onions can be planted in the South West and not limited to the Northern region as many were made to believe in the past.

‘’It will not sound well if the public are looking down on farmers; they need to be encouraged and motivated. Farming has gone beyond using of hoes and cutlasses, many professionals are farmers using mechanized system”, he noted.

He charged schools and farmers to always call on ADP whenever the needs arise, appealing to Ondo State government to employ more Extension Workers for efficient Services delivery across the State.

Principals of other Schools were invited to learn from the great achievements recorded by Oyemekun Grammar School; among the principals on seat are St Dominics Grammar School, Aquinas College, Celestial Grammar School and others.