By Jude Michael
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has partnered with the Anambra State Government to train 200 youths on Taenprowiz Table Fish Production Business System.
The induction of the 200 youths cum launch of the ECOWAS Youth Employability Programme 2.0 in Anambra State took place at the ETF Building Auditorium, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam.
Speaking during the induction, the Coordinator Taenprowiz Production Business System and Technology Partnership Centre, Anambra State, and the MD/CEO Fisheries and Aquaculture Business Development Agency (FABDA), Mr Emeka Iloghalu, expressed gratitude for the support the Taenprowiz Centre was getting from the Anambra State Government and ECOWAS in facilitating the programme, which, he said, would alleviate youth restiveness, provide more jobs and prosperous youths.
‘We are here to launch and induct the training for 200 youths on Taenprowiz Fish Production Business System and Technology. The programme is a comprehensive business solution for the fish business. It is the key to true 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 three other ways in the fish production business. The three ways include:
- To be a useful, effective, proficient employee in a standard fish production business;
- To be a cooperator, that is, a member of a fish production business co-operative from the point of professionalism, not as a novice or quack;
- Each of you should be able to evaluate and appreciate investments in the fish production business to know the one that is viable and on track or not.
‘I wish you the best. You have a bright future and 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 comprised the West African Secretariat of Ecological Organic Agriculture (WASEOA) for organizing the training simultaneously in Benin Republic, Togo, Senegal, Cote D’voire, Liberia and Nigeria; and the Association of Organic Agriculture Practitioners of Nigeria.
The Anambra State Commissioner for Youths, Hon. Patrick Aghamba, who was represented by Mr Kinsley Ozalagba, tasked the participants to be focused and ensure they used the opportunity to imbibe the skills that would change their lives financially and otherwise.
‘Our visionary Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, has supported FABDA in providing governance and regulatory structures in promoting viable Fisheries and Aquaculture businesses, as well as the blue economy in the state,’ he said.
In his address, the President of ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Alieu Toure, who was represented by Prof. Jude Obi, lamented that over 75 percent of youths in the West African Region were unemployed, thereby making the region to be 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.
Prof Jude Obi promised on behalf of WASEOA that the 10 best trainees out of 1,280 youths undergoing fish production, as well as other agricultural 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 programmes.
‘ECOWAS is going to do more when the results of these programmes we are facilitating is progressive,’ he said.
The President of ECOWAS Commission at the launch and induction of Taenprowiz Youth trainees, lauded Mr. Iloghalu for what he described as his tireless efforts towards building youth capacities.
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 was 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,’ she said.
The highlight of the occasion was the induction of the 200 youths into the fish production business by Gbadamosi R. Oyewole, Coordinator, West Africa Secretariat for Ecological and Organic Agriculture (WASEOA).
