College of Agric empowers youths, women, retirees with vocational skills

FEDERAL College of Agriculture, Ibadan, in conjunction with Emraj Global Resources Limited on Monday began a 5-day vocational training for unemployed youths, women and retirees from across Nigeria in arable crop production and livestock rearing.

Sponsored by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, participants would receive tutelage from experts on cereals and legumes production, fisheries and catfish production, use and maintenance of agricultural machines as well as cassava production and utilisation.

Speaking during the opening ceremony of the training, Executive Provost of the college, Dr Mrs Oluwakemi Elizabeth Augustus, noted that the empowerment programme was put together to demonstrate the commitment of the government to addressing the issues of youth unemployment, chronic food insecurity and poverty.

She said:”It is important to state that despite the dwindling resources accruing to the Federal Government occasioned by the impact of COVID-19 pandemic, the funding for the programme remains a top priority to government.”

While welcoming participants to the programme, Augustus noted that:”As the training gets underway, I want to admonish you to be punctual, cooperate with the resource persons and interract freely throughout the training period so as to acquire the necessary skills that will equip you for the challenges that may confront you in the process of being successful poultry farmers.”