Real People Concept, Sense Marces, YTOP to Train 1,000 Youths in Livestock

…as pioneer cohort completes internship

Real People Concept, Sense Marces, and YTOP Global have pledged to train 1,000 youths in five years through the Young Cattle Ranchers Internship Program (YOCARAIP).

This was made known on Friday, 23rd May 2025, during a hybrid certification ceremony for the 2024 Batch Cohort held at the RPC Cattle Hub in Iwo, Osun State.

Delivering his goodwill message virtually, the co-founder of Sense Marces and a lecturer at a university in the Netherlands, Prof. Jacob Duinstra, while congratulating the interns, urged them not to be shy to reach out and stay intact with the people who have trained them.

Prof. Jacob also affirmed that for the second cohort that will commence in June, they’ve initiated an intern fee support program, encouraging people to join forces with them to make an impact in the livestock sector of Nigeria.

Speaking at the event, Project Lead and CEO of Real People Concept, Olawole Tunmise Olagbaju, said the program was initiated to provide young professionals with hands-on experience in livestock production, particularly in cattle, sheep, and goat farming, to inject youthful energy into the industry.

He expressed his excitement at the growing interest of young graduates in livestock production, noting that over 4,500 youths applied for the internship program within three weeks, with only a few selected based on capacity and available resources at the hub.

Tunmise advised the pioneer cohort to persevere, no matter how hard things may seem, emphasizing that the future is bright.

Earlier in his welcome address, Olagbaju thanked the interns for showing curiosity and openness to new ideas, noting they are leaving with the tools to create lasting change. He commended the facilitators, mentors, veterinarians, and support staff for their commitment, describing their efforts as seeds for national transformation.

He also called for more partnerships, collaborations, sponsorships, and donations to train a new generation of skilled livestock professionals with knowledge, confidence, and integrity.

Speaking with Amiloaded, Vice President of the Nigeria Institute of Animal Science, Prof. Akinyele Adeshinwa, said the establishment of a Livestock Development Ministry by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will significantly boost the country’s GDP, reduce unemployment, and create new job opportunities.

Prof. Adeshinwa also called for the establishment of more cattle hubs across Nigeria to provide graduates with practical training, as many universities lack the funds to maintain livestock, depriving students of hands-on experience.

In his keynote address, National Secretary of the National Association of Animal Husbandry Technologists, Mr. Oluwadamilare Olukayode Paul, urged young graduates to embrace livestock agriculture while adhering to national and international standards to ensure quality production.

Speaking on the future of agriculture, Mr. Olukayode predicted that agriculture will soon dictate the pace of politics and the oil and gas sectors, emphasizing the promising future of anyone working in agriculture.

Also speaking with Amiloaded, YTOP Global founder and event moderator Oluwadamilare Ekundayo highlighted how the internship program bridges the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical skills.

He encouraged interns to continue applying the experience they gained during their six-month internship, noting that challenges will come but persistence is key.

Ekundayo assured that YTOP Global will continue partnering with Real People Concept to expand the internship program’s reach.

A parent of one of the beneficiaries, Ajetunbi Akinwumi, commended the initiative, saying it has provided a solid foundation for youths to invest in livestock production through practical experience.

One of the graduate interns, Oyedeji Emmanuel, expressed gratitude to the facilitators for nurturing young minds to contribute to the agricultural sector and ensure a food-secure future.

The highlight of the event was the presentation of certificates to the graduate interns.