The Director General South-East Governors Forum, Senator Uche Ekwunife weekend in Awka, Anambra State Capital, intensified the Technology Skills Transfer on Aqua Bio Resources for SMEs in the South-East region.
Organised in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, the programme was a follow-up to earlier editions facilitated by Ekwunife, in her determinstion to stamp out insecurity, unemployment and skills deficit in the South-East region, particularly Anambra State,
Speaking during occasion, Ekwunife who was a former federal lawmaker that represented Anambra Central, pointed out that the exercise was “aimed at empowering youths to be self-sufficient, ensure food security and Job creation”.
During the training Professional resource persons drafted from the Ministry of Science and Technology and LU Construction Firm exposed the beneficiaries on an in-depth knowledge and practicals on various aspects of technologies skills transfer on Aqua-based resources for Small and Medium Enterprises, SMEs, market trends and opportunities in Aqua-based resources.
A Lab TechnicianNat the training, Ahmed Omaka gave more insights on what the beneficiaries were taught, stating that the training was aimed at, “Ensuring that there is sustainable food, taking for instance the Aqua Bio Resources which is going to equip the participants with the ability to grow both fish and plants within the same medium or vessel.
“One can also grow Aqua animals like Cray Fish and crops like Lettuce, Catfish and Pumpkin together in the same water. You don’t need land, all you need is a little pond that you made yourself”.
Also speaking, a resource person, Prof Helen Obioma urged the youths not to take the training for granted, advising, “That’s why when I was talking I encouraged our young ones around here not to take it lightly as one of those workshops that people just attend and exit. They should rather see it as very important. For our Senator to have brought this close to the doorstep has a purpose”.
Another trainer, Chidinma Gift explained how the beneficiaries were taught cost effective methods of fish farming through the use of local crops to feed the fishes rather than relying on costly chemicals.
According to Gift, “Instead of relying on chemicals they can use things around them to boost the immune system of the fish, their overall growth rate and the rest. Additionally, they can also use bitter leaf, scent leaves, paw paw leaf, and other things that are around them. Instead of wasting them they can use them for their fish production”.
The Zonal Director, Southeast Zone NBTI, Clarison Ngozi expressed ger gratitude to Ekwunife for facilitating the programme; stating, “for people who want to become entrepreneurs by virtue of our lectures, workshops and all other practicals that we shall do including the ones that we have done already, the sky is their limit”.
It was all excitements as the participants showered commendations on Sen. Uche Ekwunife for working tirelessly to equip them with skills and resources needed to thrive in today’s economy.
A participant, Ofordile Chikamso said “I am definitely going to put what I learnt today into practice. I will teach people around me fish farming and how to make fish food”, while Kelechi Okeke, noted, “I already learned that it is not compulsory to buy these fish foods before you can learn how to train them”.
Participants concluded that the programme provided opportunities for women and farmers practical training to improve crop yields to improve food security. They expressed mind that with continuous training like this , the importation of consumables like these will be a thing of the past in Nigeria.
