Chinedum Elekwachi
Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra state has commended Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) for engaging 200 youths from Anambra State in the Training on Table Fish production business system.
Soludo gave the commendation at the induction of the youths cum launching of the ECOWAS Youth Employability Program 2.0 in the State held at the ETF Building Auditorium, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam.
The Governor, represented by Chairman of Anambra State Village Chairmen Hon Kingsley Ozalagba thanked the organizers for the initiative in sponsoring the youths to undergo such training in aquaculture business.
“Human capacity development is a priority for of the Solution Government. Anambra State government has been prioritizing its investments on youths to better their lives.
“Some weeks ago, 8300 youths were empowered in different skills under the Second Batch of the 1 Youth 2 skills.
“This very program in aquaculture is another opportunity for young people who want to engage in fish production to acquire the needed skills.
Govt Support Assured
While charging the trainees to take the training seriously to guarantee their relevance, Soludo assured government’s support to the program.
“The trainees should take the training very serious because in today’s world if you have nothing to offer, you will be at the back seat. For one to survive in the present world, you need a skill.
“They should be patient enough to learn all they can and Anambra State is willing to give our own support. I thank Ecowas for engaging our youths,” he added.
Speaking during the induction, Coordinator Taenprowiz Production Business System and Technology Partnership Center, Anambra State, Emeka Iloghalu expressed gratitude for state government support and ECOWAS in facilitating the program which would alleviate youth restiveness and provide more jobs.
Iloghalu who doubles as MD/CEO Fishery and Aquaculture Business Development Agency (FABDA) lauded Prof. Jude Obi’s team, including the West African Secretariat of Ecological Organic Agriculture (WASEOA) for organizing the training simultaneously in Benin Republic, Togo, Senegal, Cot devoire, Liberia and Nigeria, and the Association of Organic Agriculture Practitioners of Nigeria.
He said, “We are here to launch and induct the training for 200 youths on Taenprowiz Production Business System and Technology.
Comprehensive Biz Solution
The Taenprowiz fish production business system and technology is a comprehensive business solution for the fish business.
“It is the key to commercialization of fish production. We have spent about two months together with the trainees.
“At this point we are here to sensitize people, tell the world about this milestone.
“For those who are not part of this 200 and who missed out in the first batch of 150 trained last year will still have more opportunities.
“After this training we envisage that all of you being trained will engage in the fish business one way, or a combination of the three ways in fish production business.
“The three ways include: (1)to be a useful, effective, professional employee in the fish production business.
“To be a cooperator, that is, a member of a fish production business co-operative from the point of proficiency not as a novice.
“Each of you should be able to evaluate and appreciate investments in fish production to know the one that is on track or not.
President of ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Alieu Toure lamented that over 75 percent of youths in the West African region are unemployed.
Region’s low productivity
According to him, this is contributing to the region’s low productivity and performance of economies in general and Agro Sylvo Pastoral and Fisheries sector in particular.
“It is also making it difficult to integrate the youths into existing rigid farming systems.
Toure, represented by Prof. Jude Obi promised on behalf of WASEOA that the 10 best and most progressive trainees out of 1280 Youths undergoing fish production training in the six West African countries would be rewarded handsomely with special gifts.
“With this number of vibrant youths roaming the streets of West Africa, Anambra is doing well by making provisions for youth programs.
“ECOWAS is going to do more when the results of these programs we are facilitating is progressive,” he said.
Earlier, Vice Chancellor, COOU, Igbariam, Prof Kate Omenugha appreciated the Taenprowiz team and ECOWAS Commission for their efforts toward agriculture and food security.
“COOU is deeply committed to achieving zero hunger in line with the Sustainable Development Goals.
“The University’s Healthy Living Farm demonstrates this commitment as it promotes organic farming and sustainability while serving as a training ground for students, especially those in the Faculty of Agriculture”.
Highpoint of the occasion was the induction of the 200 youths into the fish production business by Gbadamosi Oyewole, Coordinator, ECOWAS, WASEOA, Nigeria.
