The Lagos State Government’s Centre for Rural Development (CERUD) organized a one-day fish farming training and empowerment program on November 7, 2024, at the Ikorodu Local Government Secretariat Hall.
The initiative, designed to bolster the fish farming sector, attracted around 100 participants from Ikorodu North LCDA, Ikorodu Central, and surrounding areas of Ikorodu Division, demonstrating the community’s strong interest in advancing their agricultural ventures.
This training aimed to refine the fish farming skills of both aspiring and established farmers, equipping them with the knowledge and resources needed to transform their ventures into profitable businesses.
CERUD operates under the Lagos State Office of Rural Development, led by Dr. Nurudeen Yekinni Agbaje, Special Adviser to the Governor on Rural Development.
Dr. Agbaje inaugurated the program and outlined Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s initiatives for supporting rural farmers throughout the state.
In his address, Dr. Agbaje emphasized the Lagos State Government’s dedication to enhancing agricultural practices in rural communities, stating that such efforts align with the Governor’s vision to empower grassroots entrepreneurs.
“This training is one of many steps toward helping farmers increase productivity, expand business prospects, and ultimately boost the local economy,” he noted.
The program also featured an empowerment segment, where 50 of the participants were selected to receive vital equipment and materials.
This support package included 500-liter fish tanks, a range of fish feeds in sizes from 2mm to 6mm, and fish smoking machines to aid in processing.
The equipment distribution was structured to foster collaboration, with feed beneficiaries divided into four groups and smoking machine recipients organized in pairs within clusters.
Present at the event was Mrs. Kikelomo Bolarinwa, Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs, and Rural Development, who underscored the ministry’s commitment to supervising CERUD’s initiatives and enhancing rural development.
Both Dr. Agbaje and Mrs. Bolarinwa presented the empowerment items to the selected beneficiaries.
Expressing their gratitude, the farmers commended the Lagos State Government for its commitment to rural development and support for grassroots agricultural enterprises.
The recipients highlighted that the equipment would significantly enhance their productivity and profitability, creating a stable foundation for their businesses.
Each participant also received 500 fingerlings to help boost their initial production capacity.
Mr. Musibau Balogun, Director of CERUD, credited the program’s success to the Lagos State Government’s passion for uplifting lives at the grassroots level.
He cited the centre’s previous training session in the Epe axis of Lagos, where similar support was provided to fish farmers, as further evidence of the government’s dedication to rural empowerment.
“Through the Ikorodu training, CERUD continues to make meaningful contributions to Lagos State’s rural agricultural landscape, fostering economic growth and enhancing the livelihoods of local farmers,” Mr. Balogun said.
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