PRESS RELEASE

Reference release here, The Leadership Nigeria.

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Landmark University-Farm Partnership Blossoms under New Leadership, Following Pioneering Foundation Laid by Predecessor

From MOU to Action: UNILORIN Faculty of Agriculture, under Dean Prof. Ogunlade Isreal, Visits Maripha Farms to Operationalize Groundbreaking FEED Program

ILORIN, NIGERIA – November 10, 2025 – A visionary partnership between the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), the Maripha Empowerment Foundation (MEF), and Passion of Hope International (PHI) is moving from blueprint to reality, demonstrating the critical importance of sustained leadership in transformative development projects. This follows a strategic site visit by the current Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, Prof. Ogunlade Isreal, and key Heads of Departments to Maripha Farms on November 5, 2025, to activate the Farmer Entrepreneurship and Ecosystem Development (FEED) program.

The visit marks a significant milestone in a journey that began under the steadfast leadership of the immediate past Dean, Prof. Oluyemisi Bolajoko Fawoye. It was Prof. Fawoye who championed the collaborative vision, meticulously steering the foundational discussions and building the consensus that culminated in the signing of a comprehensive Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) by the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, on July 18, 2025.

"This partnership was born from a shared ambition to redefine agriculture in Africa—focusing on food sovereignty, regenerative practices, and youth empowerment," the MOU document outlines. The tripartite agreement established a five-year framework to co-create the FEED program, designating Maripha Farms as a Research and Incubator Center.

The baton of leadership has now passed to Prof. Ogunlade Isreal, the new Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture. Demonstrating an unwavering commitment to the collective vision, Prof. Isreal has hit the ground running. His leadership ensures the momentum initiated by his predecessor is not only maintained but accelerated.

The November 5th visit to Maripha Farms was a decisive step in translating the MOU's aspirations into a concrete action plan. The purpose was to jointly outline the operational roadmap for establishing Maripha Farms as a living laboratory for:

• Regenerative Agricultural Research

• Agribusiness Incubation for Youth and Women

• Practical, hands-on training for students and farmers

"This visit underscores a seamless transition of leadership and a shared institutional commitment,"; said a representative from Passion of Hope International. "The dedication shown by Prof. Fawoye in laying the groundwork, and the immediate engagement by Prof. Isreal in building upon it, is a textbook example of how sustainable development is achieved. It’s not about individual tenures; it’s about a continuous, collective mission."

The success of this model sends a powerful message to the development sector: for large-scale socio-economic projects to thrive, collaborative efforts must be coupled with leadership that prioritizes continuity over personal legacy.

"We are confident that under the steadfast leadership of Dean Ogunlade Isreal, and with the continued support of Vice-Chancellor Egbewole, this partnership will yield the transformative results we all envision," the PHI representative added. "The future of sustainable agriculture in Kwara State is being seeded today, through partnership and sustained commitment."

About the Partners:

• Maripha Empowerment Foundation (MEF): A Nigerian nonprofit dedicated to advancing

  ecological literacy and agroecological practice in regenerative agriculture.

• University of Ilorin (UNILORIN): A foremost academic institution committed to providing a world-class environment for learning, research, and community service.

• Passion of Hope International (PHI): A US-based nonprofit dedicated to appropriate and sustainable development in Africa through empowerment programs for marginalized communities.