It was gathered that the training, which is under the project of Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises—Niger Delta, was mainly for youths and women and is taking place in 10 Local Government Areas of the state.
Speaking at the orientation programme for the trainees held in Idanre town, Idanre LG of the state on Thursday, the state Project Coordinator, Olawale Ademola, revealed that so far, the programme has trained and empowered over 2,500 persons in the state and had begun to train a new intake of 2,000.
Ademola also mentioned that the project was meant majorly for youths and women particularly from the age of 18 to 35, stating that the trainees were selected from 10 council areas of the state, who were selected from Akoko South West, Akoko North West, Owo, Akure South, Idanre, Ondo East, Ile-Oluji, Irele, Ilaje and Ese-Odo LGs.
He explained, “The beneficiaries of the training also known as the incubatees will be trained on the production of four commodities which are cassava, cocoa, poultry and fishery within a space of one to three months after which they will be empowered to start up their own agric businesses.”
Also speaking, the National Technical Assistant to LIFE-ND Project National Coordinator, Mr. Bunmi Ogunleye, said the project was already in existence in six states in the Niger Delta region which are Bayelsa, Abia, Cross-River, Delta, Edo and Ondo States.
Ogunleye also stated that the project has trained and empowered over 14,250 beneficiaries from the six states since the project’s inception and was currently set to train an additional 12,000 persons consisting of 2,000 from each state.
He further explained that after the training, the trainees would be empowered with cash components and farm produce in regards to the commodity they are trained on, and they would be monitored to ensure they use the cash for its intended purpose.
In his remarks, the state governor, Lucky Aiyedaiwa, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ondo State Ministry of Agriculture, Mr Ogunmola Edward, emphasised the importance of the LIFE-ND project as a means to improve the livelihood of the citizens.
He said, “It is noteworthy that this occasion is another feat in the developmental programme of the Federal Government of Nigeria in investing in rural people, empowering them to reduce poverty and improve their standard of living.
“It is in response to the limited readily available options for the disadvantaged most especially the youths and women in the rural and suburban communities, to improve their means of livelihood and help them live a decent life.
“Let me assure you that the government will not rest on its oars until food scarcity is fully eradicated in the state, thereby, leading to poverty eradication from our land.”
