By Uzo Ugwunze
West African Secretariat of Ecological Organic Agriculture (WASEOA) has pledged to gift special prizes and packages to the Most Progressives and Best trainees Undergoing Fish Production Business System Training sponsored by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission.
Speaking during the induction of the 200 Youths cum launching of the ECOWAS Youth Employability Program 2.0 in Anambra State which took place at the ETF Building Auditorium, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam, President of Organic Agriculture Practitioners of Nigeria (NOAN),
Prof Jude Obi promised on behalf of WASEOA that the 10 most progressive youths out of 1280 Youths undergoing fish production training in the six West African countries would be rewarded handsomely with special gifts.
“Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has partnered with Anambra State Government To Train 200 youths on Table Fish production business system. Similar training is going on in Benin Republic, Togo, Senegal, Cot devoire , Liberia
“Taenprowiz fish production business system and technology in Anambra State is one of the centers coordinated by WASEOA within Ecowas grant.
“The Training is part of Youths training in agriculture and fishery production program under the Regional Strategy of Youth employment in Agriculture and Fishery sector within ECOWAS member states.
Prof Obi who represented the President of ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Alieu Toure who was represented lamented that over 75 percent of youths in the West African region are unemployed thereby making the region affected by low productivity and performance of economies in general and of particular Agro Sylvo Pastoral and Fisheries sector making it difficult to integrate young people into existing rigid farming systems.
“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 in his address,,the Coordinator Taenprowiz Production Business System and Technology Partnership Center Anambra State and MD/CEO Fishery and Aquaculture Business Development Agency (FABDA), Mr Emeka Iloghalu, expressed gratitude on the support the agency is getting from the state government and ECOWAS in facilitating the program which would alleviate youth restivity and provide more jobs.
“We are here to launch and induct the training for 200 youths on Taenprowiz Production Business System and Technology. 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 and 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;(2) to be a cooperator, that is,a member of a fish production business co-operative from the point of proficiency not as a novice; (3) each of you should be able to evaluate and appreciate investments in fish production to know the one that is on track or not.
“I wish you the best. You have a bright future with all the support of my team in Anambra State and Ecowas, I am sure that you will not have any limit,” said Iloghalu.
Iloghalu lauded Prof. Jude Obi’s team which comprises of 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.
Anambra State Commissioner for Youths, Hon Patrick Aghamba who was represented by Mr Kinsley Ozalagba tasked the participants to be focused and ensure they use the opportunity to Imbibe the skills that will change their lives financially and otherwise.
“Our visionary Governor Chukwuma Soludo has set up FABDA which is making the fish production business viable in the state,” he said.
Earlier, the Vice Chancellor,COOU, Igbariam, Prof Kate Omenugha
appreciated the Taenprowiz team and ECOWAS Commission for their efforts toward agriculture and food security saying that 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 R. Oyewole, Coordinator, ECOWAS, WASEOA, Nigeria.