By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja.
As part of efforts to boost and mitigate shortfalls in poultry farming and business in the country, Dangote Cement Plc, Obajana has commenced skill acquisition and empowerment programme for 30 youths in poultry farming.
Mr Ademola Adeyemi, General Manager, Community Affairs/Special Duties of the plant who disclosed at Obajana said the exercise was part of the 2023 Community Empowerment Scheme for youths in the Plant’s host communities.
Adeyemi said the intervention which is also part of the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) aimed to support the government in boosting poultry production and business.
According to him, 30 youths drawn from the catchment areas including Oyo, Obajana, Iwaa and Apata host communities have so far been enlisted for the programme.
“The training is expected to impart positively on poultry production, processing, record keeping and entrepreneurial skills of the beneficiaries,” he said.
According to him, Starter Packs containing Point of Laying Hens, Battery Cages, Feeds medication and other working accessories would be distributed to the beneficiaries at the end of training.
He said that the Skill Acquisition and Empowerment Scheme was being handled by College of Education (Technical), Kabba on behalf of the Dangote Cement Plc.
In her remarks, Dr Jagboro Victoria Olusola (Mrs.), Provost, College of Education (Technical), Kabba, commended the Management of Dangote Cement Plc, Obajana, for the initiative.
She described the effort as an apt demonstration of teaching people how to fish rather than giving them fish.
Speaking earlier, Mr Michael Odoma, Deputy Provost of the College and anchor of the programme, said that at the end, trainees would have had two and half months of classroom training sessions.
Odoma said that all aspects of poultry production from Processing, Bookkeeping, Accounting to Entrepreneurial Skills among others, would have been taught.
He added that the classroom teachings would be complemented with practical field visits to notable poultry businesses in and around Kogi State.
Mr JV Gungune, Plant Director of Dangote Cement Plc, Obajana Plant, urged the beneficiaries to demonstrate high sense of commitment to enable them succeed.
He enjoined them to see the Starter Packs presented to them as a Mango tree that needs to be nurtured to bear fruits year in year out on a sustainable basis.
Gungune advised them to be disciplined, prudent and persevere so that they can enjoy the maximum benefits of this initiative. (Ends)