As the 2016 off-season agricultural production training scheme takes off in Abia State, the 50 trainees have been advised to take the one-month program serious by investing their time and energy in it.
Flagging off the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) sponsored programme at Amuzuta, Old Umuahia, the state Youths Development Commissioner, Dr Hagler Okorie said the programme is also in line with the state government’s policy of exposing the youths to skill acquisition to enable them become self-employed, rather than searching for unavailable employment opportunities.
He pointed out that by acquiring skills, they cannot go hungry, adding that the state government would continue to assist the NDE in its efforts to train persons in various skills.
The state NDE Coordinator, Lady Buchi Ojei who represented the Acting Director General of the NDE, Mr Kunle Obayan said after the training, the successful graduates will undergo three months attachment to enable them acquire practical knowledge and thereafter stand to be empowered to set up their own practice.
She said the training will take place at the state NDE Agricultural Skill Training Center at Umuezegu in Isiala Ngwa North Local Government Area, noting that it will focus on Fish farming, Poultry, Cassava production, Business Management and snail keeping farming, among others.
Ojei recalled that past successful NDE trainees were already in profitable businesses, with three of them: Mrs. Florence Nwosu, Mr. Ejim Sylvester and Mr. Ochulor Ihuoma, enjoining the new trainees to strive to complete the training, irrespective of any challenge.
