Edmund Jim Omadudu
Training Session
African and indeed Nigeria is embracing back the glory days of Agriculture, when the Agricultural sector was a major source of the country's revenue. This laudable strides have been greatly supported by the present administration of President Goodluck Jonathan and members of his executive cabinet.
As a matter of fact President Goodluck Jonathan through the appropriate ministries have initiated various Agricultural campaigns aimed at encouraging and equipping the citizenry into the Agro-sector.
Nigerian Celebrities are also part of the campaign with the objectives of capturing the youths, who are considered the leaders of tomorrow.
As a Nigerian in Diaspora, I was really curious to know more about this Agricultural campaign, especially with its slogan "Year of Agriculture." So i thought it was a great idea to interview someone that is actively involved in this project both as a consultant and as a key player in the Agro-sector business. A person who happens to be a gospel artist and an "Agropreneur," as he calls himself.
Ladies and gents meet Edmund Jim Omadudu (stage name: EddieSAX) and enjoy excerpts from the interview.
kachizone: Thanks for the opportunity granted us to interview you
£ddïęSAX..: Also privileged
£ddïęSAX..: Also privileged
kachizone: Kindly give us a brief introduction about your personality and what you represent as a brand
£ddïęSAX..: Am Edmund Jim Omadudu (stage name- EddieSax), a gospel artiste and a saxophonist. Outside my music career; I have just ventured into the Agro-industry with a privilege of owning my private enterprise in Lagos, Nigeria and I represent the brand called JEROMPROJECT. "A music minister turning into an Agropreneur"
kachizone: Well how do you joggle both? And what inspired you to dabble into both industry?
£ddïęSAX..: Its quite simple for me....everyone keep asking the same question; but for me it's a passion to reach-out more and being impactful to the community. This is what I think "if more than 70% of Nigerians out of about 170 million people can still go to bed hungry..then I have a job to do". This is why I had the passion to dabble into this having studied Agricultural Engineering Tech; I need to do something with both career as well as my God-given talent.
As an entrepreneur, I chose my time, go anywhere for my music and still travel for my Agro jobs. I Have been in several meetings with great men and women from key positions in this country. I ask myself.. "Do I work as hard as this people, do Mr. President sleeps"? So, I see myself as though am doing nothing. When it's music time or gospel concerts that am invited, i try my best to go because i usually plan my work schedules. Same goes also to when am called for Agric projects or to deliver speech at seminars, I do it with passion..giving my very best
As an entrepreneur, I chose my time, go anywhere for my music and still travel for my Agro jobs. I Have been in several meetings with great men and women from key positions in this country. I ask myself.. "Do I work as hard as this people, do Mr. President sleeps"? So, I see myself as though am doing nothing. When it's music time or gospel concerts that am invited, i try my best to go because i usually plan my work schedules. Same goes also to when am called for Agric projects or to deliver speech at seminars, I do it with passion..giving my very best
kachizone: have you been handling it perfectly?
£ddïęSAX..: Yeah! Perfectly well...
kachizone: What do you think about Nigeria Agricultural sector? Are we a subsistence country or an export driven country?
£ddïęSAX..: We use to be an Agricultural exporting country before the so-called oil boom in the early 70s. Our government failed the people from that time because all attention was diverted to solely oil. It was a doom indeed and the economy dropped drastically below 25%.
Due that situation, we fell down from being commercial/exporting, and we where just managing ourselves (subsistence) until the Jonathan administration came up with the ATA (Agricultural Transformation Agenda). As I speak now; the Agricultural sector has wowed the people; it has greatly increase the GDP percentage of our economy with the full support and ideology from the honourable minister of agriculture (Akinwunmi Adesina). Nigeria is now the best in West Africa in terms of meat production. All other areas is greatly on the increase since there's a vast financial support to farmers and Agro-allied firms.
Due that situation, we fell down from being commercial/exporting, and we where just managing ourselves (subsistence) until the Jonathan administration came up with the ATA (Agricultural Transformation Agenda). As I speak now; the Agricultural sector has wowed the people; it has greatly increase the GDP percentage of our economy with the full support and ideology from the honourable minister of agriculture (Akinwunmi Adesina). Nigeria is now the best in West Africa in terms of meat production. All other areas is greatly on the increase since there's a vast financial support to farmers and Agro-allied firms.
The introduction of YOUWIN, as well as GED are both interesting aspect that has boost up the agricultural sector
kachizone : So do you think we are back as an Agro exporting nation?
£ddïęSAX..: Yes! Most imported food items are being bound, in order to intensify our own production. We are presently the best in cassava. We hope to be on top in rice production too
kachizone: Tell us more about government's efforts so far with regards to various campaigns about the "Year of Agriculture"?
£ddïęSAX..: Well, for me, Nigerian government has done well in the past 2years following the transformation agenda to boost agriculture. One of the major effort of Mr. President, with support from the finance minister (Ngozi Okonjo Iwela) was to introduction a Youth Enterprise with Innovation in Nigeria, called YOUWIN. Government sets this up to encourage men/women with idea; by giving them grants, especially those in the Agric sector (farm-related business ideas) so that can start-up and empower themselves and other Nigerians. This is working as the 3rd edition has just ended and we know that some people went home smiling.
This i must say is an impressive idea in addition to other policies to constantly support Agricultural development have also been passed into law by federal legislatures.
This i must say is an impressive idea in addition to other policies to constantly support Agricultural development have also been passed into law by federal legislatures.
kachizone: With all these government efforts to boost Agricultural sector, where do you see Nigeria Agric sector in the next ten years?
£ddïęSAX..: Let me quote Mr. President again "We'll continue to work with farmers and that is why I am announcing that the support will become a national policy. Our nation shall be green, our barns shall be filled and our farmers shall prosper." So for me, I see Nigeria having a balance and a stable economy if this passion continues.
My greatest concern here is that "Our youths must get their head/brain worked on." Violence, stealing, fraud, killings and all manner of crime will take us no where. Let's worked harder, think smartly and be diligent. We shall surely eat the good of the land..Edmund say so!
My greatest concern here is that "Our youths must get their head/brain worked on." Violence, stealing, fraud, killings and all manner of crime will take us no where. Let's worked harder, think smartly and be diligent. We shall surely eat the good of the land..Edmund say so!
kachizone : Nice.. talking about the youth we all know that they view Agricultural business as not being fancy or trendy... what is your view? and so far can u say the youths has been very much involved in this project?
£ddïęSAX..: It's an excellent involvement... You'll be surprise to here me say this, "even musician are now beginning to also find interest to invest in Agric business."
What we don't know is what other foreign nations like America and Europe has used in overtaken us. Let's stop seeing Agric business as being menial, it's a big profession/business like the I.T, Banking, etc.
Our approach to it is what counts. Nobody, will ever think am into Agric business or a farmer, if they see me ordinary, they'll usually see me as celebrity/artiste...yet I do farm business. My friends are surprise and they want to join me. So it's all about the approach! Forget the word "FARM" and consider the word "BUSINESS." Farm business is a good business.
What we don't know is what other foreign nations like America and Europe has used in overtaken us. Let's stop seeing Agric business as being menial, it's a big profession/business like the I.T, Banking, etc.
Our approach to it is what counts. Nobody, will ever think am into Agric business or a farmer, if they see me ordinary, they'll usually see me as celebrity/artiste...yet I do farm business. My friends are surprise and they want to join me. So it's all about the approach! Forget the word "FARM" and consider the word "BUSINESS." Farm business is a good business.
kachizone : So finally as someone involved with this Agricultural ideas and projects... what is your advise to Nigerians that would love to invest but are curious on how to begin or where to start from?
£ddïęSAX..: My advice to Nigerian youth or anyone who wants to invest into Agric business is that they should do so with great passion..you'll never regret it.
How to go about it or starting it is no longer an issue; that's why JEROMPROJECT & ALTECT is here to serve you better. I've been a consultant for almost 5-years now, with wide experience in Agricultural business, animal farming, aquaculture, project handling and developing, as well as consultation. Anyone can call me on my contact or visit my website. Many people are already on my neck to partner with me to become shareholders, am glad about it..though am still very careful on who to involve and who not to involve. For now, I have one person coming in with me on this as a shareholder. So many people really do want to invest, but don't want to handle it..they want someone else to handle it for them. That's where I come in!
I Have trained a lot of people - students, unemployed graduates, house wives, retirees, etc and am still training. I Handle seminar every month and train individuals every week and so on. It does not stop me from my music passion or events
I Have trained a lot of people - students, unemployed graduates, house wives, retirees, etc and am still training. I Handle seminar every month and train individuals every week and so on. It does not stop me from my music passion or events
kachizone: Ok.. from your view point what is the average financial start up required? Because many Nigerians would want to know, including how secured and profitable there investment would be?
£ddïęSAX..: That is where I will first like to advise any individual to make his or her research on different areas. Get an area of interest, then we'll either train that person or tell him/her what to do exactly. Agric business are numerous like - agronomy, animal farming, aquaculture, hulticulture, etc, So the area matters..
kachizone : does it mean you can't ascertain start up rate until consulted? Bare in mind that some potential investor would like to know the average start-up amount in order to plan there investments
£ddïęSAX..: I can always give start-up rate anytime...but it depends on the area of Agric business. All of them actually have different start-up rate. But on an average; a passionate investor should consider at least a million naira for a commercial Agric business, while for a small scale; N100,000 depending on the area like I said.
The gospel am preaching here is that, whatever your passion is with Agric business; you can actually start with any amount and from where you are with what you have.
The gospel am preaching here is that, whatever your passion is with Agric business; you can actually start with any amount and from where you are with what you have.
kachizone : I want to use this medium to wish you more strength as you join in promoting this great project and idea.
£ddïęSAX..: Thanks, God is my strength.
£ddïęSAX..: Thanks, God is my strength.
kachizone : Its been such a great and productive interview time with you. Thanks once more for the opportunity
£ddïęSAX..: It's my pleasure to have you interviewed me
kachizone : U welcome
Contact Details:
Mobiles +2348095663885, +2348035237436.
BB Pin: 22D59313
Facebook: Eddie.Sax1 (CLICK) , Jerom Farms (CLICK)
Twitter: @eddieSAX_jaz (CLICK) , @jeromprojects (CLICK)
Nice, keep up d gud work
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