Another 125 beneficiaries of a two-week intensive fish farming training and empowerment facilitated by the German Agency for International Cooperation, GIZ, in collaboration with SAEIO Global, have graduated today in Alimosho.
The beneficiaries were presented with certificates of participation as well as starter package which include a 500litre fish pond tank, two 15kg bags of fish feed, digital weighing scale and digital water testing kit.
The beneficiaries, on Thursday 25th November, 2021, went on a field trip to the Lagos State University, LASU, fish farm for practical experience.
They had the opportunity of seeing different species of fish and well as types of culturing system which include flow-through, earthen pond, lined earthen pond, cage system, and the incubation house.
They were taken through the practical steps in fish breeding, with the facilitator demonstrating with live catfish.
In an opening remark, the Director of SAEIO Global, Dr Isa Elegbede, appreciated the support and comportment of the participants for their good conduct throughout the period of the training.
He said the training and empowerment were unique in that it had elicited the passion in the beneficiaries to go into fish farming and bridge the gap in fish demand in Nigeria.
He expressed appreciation to the Alimosho Local government for providing the space and the enabling environment for the training to hold at the Council Secretariat.
Elegbede also commended GIZ for facilitating the training and empowerment programme.
The GIZ representative, Ayomikun Olugbode, expressed happiness that the participants took the time to complete the training despite their schedules.
He also extended the goodwill of GIZ team leader, Sandra Vermuijten, to the beneficiaries, congratulating them for a successful outing.
According to him, the purpose of the training and empowerment is to ensure they get empowered, get employment and make sustainable income.
The Local Government Chairman, Jelili Sulaimon, appreciated the gesture of the German Agency to the local government.
He said a lot of organisations had turned down offer to empower youths in Alimosho but GIZ has been forthcoming and supportive of the Local government.
Mr Sulaimon advised the beneficiaries to put to profitable use of the empowerment items, appealing that they should not disappoint the organisers.
The local government boss also warned them against selling them as it will amount to ingratitude.
“Whatever items given to you, please utilise them well because there is poverty in the land and government alone cannot address it. The staff strength of Alimosho Local government is not up to 700 and you have millions of people in the local government. So, if you have been opportuned to be a beneficiary of this training, take good advantage of it,” he said.
Two of the beneficiaries, Mrs Ronke Adesanya and Mr Esho Adewunmi, who spoke on behalf of their colleagues, appreciated the organizers for the wonderful opportunity of the training.
The ceremony, held at the Alimosho Local Government Secretariat in Akowonjo, also had in attendance the Vice Chairman of Alimosho Local Government, Mr Johnson Akinpelu, another representative of GIZ, Mrs Adeola Adebayo and other dignitaries.