The Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu has expressed his readiness to increase the capacity of the youths in the government’s drive to reduce hunger and poverty, and to put more food on the table of Lagosians through consistent socioeconomic reengineering and reorientation.
Speaking through the Special Adviser on Rural Development, Dr. Nurudeen Yekinni Lanre-Agbaje at a one-day training on Fish farming organised by the Centre for Rural Development (CERUD) in Ikorodu recently. Mr. Governor assured the youths and farmers of continuous productive engagement and support for self sustenance, food security and improved living standard.
Earlier welcoming participants to the programme, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development, Mrs. Kikelomo Bolarinwa reiterated the need to take advantage of the opportunity provided by the training and empowerment to make a living for themselves, while also contributing to the socio economic upliftment of the state.
Mrs. Bolarinwa also pointed out that similar gestures had been extended by the state government to the people of Epe, Eredo, Ikosi Ejirin, Imota, Badagry and Lagos Island.
The Director, CERUD, Mr. Musibau Muyiwa Balogun described the programme as being beneficial to the state by bringing new entrants into fish culture through the provision of the necessary fishing tools. He lso expressing the preparedness of the Centre to offer further assistance to beneficiaries who made proof of their trades and are ready to move their business operations to a higher level.
During the training session, the lead consultant, Dr. Akinloye Busari, pointed out the vast market opportunities in fish farming owing to the large gap between demand and supply, and the scarcity of foreign exchange to support fish importation, making it imperative to look inward.
One of the beneficiaries, Mr. Adejonwo Oluwafemi thanked the Lagos State Government and CERUD for the laudable gesture, while promising to leverage on the little startup from CERUD to take his enterprise to an enviable height.
The participants were supplied with empowerment materials including, fish tanks, fish feed, fingerlings and smoking kilns after the training to take off.
