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Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has assured of his administration’s commitment to building the capacity of youths of the state in order to make them self-reliant.
Governor Diri gave the assurance on Friday during the graduation of 200 trainees in integrated farming at the CSS Global Integrated Farms in Nasarawa State.
The beneficiaries, who were sponsored by the state government, underwent a two-week intensive training in poultry production, fish farming, plantain/cassava farming, rice/maize farming, feed-mill processing, greenhouse and hydroponics as well as in ruminant fattening, agricultural business and financing among others.
The beneficiaries will receive soft loans from the state government to commence small-scale farming businesses.
The governor described agriculture as a path to diversifying the state’s economy from its dependence on oil revenue.
A press release by his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, yesterday, quoted him as saying that his administration was inspired by the need for a paradigm shift from over-dependence on oil.
He said that the prosperity mantra of his administration would be easily achieved when the people are equipped with different skills that will not only make them self-reliant but also employers of labour.
Diri charged the beneficiaries to make a difference in their environment upon their return to the state.
He said up to 5,000 youths would be trained and given loans to set up their own farms.
The Bayelsa helmsman commended chairman of the CSS Group, Prof John Kennedy Okpara, for his role in making the training possible, describing him as a man of integrity and honour that is interested in the growth and development of people.
He said: “I was as elated when I came in to see the high spirits of my brothers and sisters that came all the way from Bayelsa for this training. I hear you have all behaved well.
“As you know, our administration is tagged the Government of Prosperity. We cannot prosper if we continue to live the way we have been living.
“Agriculture is one of the pillars of our government. We are talking about diversification and moving away from our dependence on oil and gas. Everybody virtually keyed into oil and we abandoned agriculture.
“When we came on board, we believed that the only way we can diversify our economy is by giving people different skills that will add value not just to their lives but to the state and nation at large. So rather than do illegal businesses, there is a surer way to survive. This training will not end with this set. As you go back another set will come. And we shall make loans available to you.”
