Oyo State Fadama has embarked on intensive training of 300 Graduate Unemployed Youth and Women under the programme to impart knowledge on various agricultural enterprises.
Under the programme tagged “Fadama GUYS” (Fadama Graduate Unemployed Youth AND Women Support), they beneficiaries are to be exposed to the module that will enhance their knowledge and prepare them as future entrepreneur.
According to the Executive Director of Institute of Agricultural Research and Training, Moor Plantation, Ibadan, Prof. E.A Adebowale, the programme will also catapult youths to a greater level of contributing to the national economy and food security through well prepared and competent Facilitators.
The State Fadama Project Coordinator, Nath Olayinka said that training would run for two weeks in three centres namely College of Agriculture, Igboora, LAUTECH Ogbomoso and Institute of Agriculture Research and Training, Moor Plantation, Ibadan.
Speaking at the event which lasted two days, state commissioner for Agriculture, Natural Resources and Rural development, Mr Oyewole Oyewumi said the state keyed into the programme with a view to reducing the number of unemployed youths in the state.
He expressed optimism that the beneficiaries will become expert on different agricultural enterprise of their interest.
Also, Oyewumi has charged all and sundry to embrace the use of made-in-Nigeria products in order to promote economy and reduce poverty rate in Nigeria as a whole.
Oyewole who spoke through the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Victor Atilola expressed displeasure over the adverse effect of over reliance of Nigerians on foreign goods which he described as major threat to economic development of the country.
“The vocational training powered by Oyo State Rural Finance Institution Building team (RUFIN) was designed to improve living standard of rural households and enrich individuals with knowledge and skills needed to become successful entrepreneurs,” Oyewole said.
While appreciating Governor Abiola Ajimobi for the payment of counterpart fund in various laudable programmes which enabled the state to benefit from such programmes, Oyewole enjoined participants to build solid foundation for their businesses and identify marketable products in their localities
He also appealed to individuals to change their orientations on foreign goods and patronise locally made products to promote local business.
Mrs Lawal Mariam and Mr Adekanmbi Johnson expressed their appreciation to the State Government and Initiator of the programme and promise to make use of the training knowledge for the development of agricultural sector and Nigeria economy.
and then