The Lagos State government launched a Fish Training and Empowerment Program on the 25th of June 2024, targeting youth self-reliance and sustainable socioeconomic development.
The event, themed “Empowering the Youths for Self-Reliance and Sustainable Socioeconomic Development,” was held at the Onikan Youth Centre in Onikan, Lagos.
This empowerment initiative reflects the government’s commitment to fostering economic growth and improving the livelihoods of its citizens through sustainable agricultural practices.
Mrs. Kikelomo Bolarinwa, Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs, and the Office of Rural Development, officiated the program on behalf of Dr. Nurudeen Yekinni Agbaje, the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Rural Development.
The initiative, spearheaded by the Office of Rural Development and implemented through the Centre for Rural Development (CERUD), brought together participants from various regions, including Badagry, Olorunda, Lagos Island, and Lafiaji.
Accroding to Mrs Bolarinwa, while speaking to participants, she explained that, “The program’s primary goal is to equip young people with essential skills in fish farming, thereby promoting self-employment and contributing to the economic growth of rural communities in Lagos”.
“After effective training, the program will empower beneficiaries with fish farms, smoking kilns, fingerlings, and fish feed, providing them with the necessary resources to kick-start their fish farming ventures,” Mrs Bolarinwa stated.
Mr. Balogun Musibau, CEO of CERUD, detailed the importance of the initiative, noting that it is part of the Lagos State government’s ongoing efforts to alleviate poverty and transform participants into job providers.
He encouraged participants to take full advantage of the opportunities presented by the program to achieve self-sufficiency and support the broader community’s development.
“As the program unfolds, it is expected to make a significant impact on the participants and their communities, driving forward the state’s vision of a prosperous and self-reliant Lagos” Mr Balogun asserted.
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