The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has reaffirmed its dedication to addressing the subregion’s food crisis.
ECOWAS Commission Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture, Mrs. Massandjé Toure-Titse, made this statement on Tuesday during the convocation of 150 Anambra youth who had received training in table fish production in Awka.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the Fisheries and Aquaculture Business Development Agency (FABDA) of the Anambra government, in partnership with the ECOWAS Commission, provided funding for the training.
The youngsters who consented to participate in the training were lauded by Toure-Titse, who performed the ceremony at the Anambra State Polytechnic, Mgbakwu, near Awka, adding that they were now a member of the subregional food security army.
According to her, ECOWAS aspires to promote fish and food production “as a major component of our food value chain.”
According to her, the initiative is a component of the ECOWAS regional plan to assist youth employability in the agro-pastoral and fisheries industries.
According to her, Anambra was one of the 25 centres in the 15 ECOWAS Countries and one of the four Centres in Nigeria which the ECOWAS Commission granted subsidies to train young people.
“I celebrate a significant moment like this. We are today handing out certificates to young trainees in the table fish production business.
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“I encourage you to apply the knowledge you have acquired to bring innovation and to actively contribute to the growth of the fishing industry in your country and in our region.
“ECOWAS remains committed to supporting such initiatives and to creating the enabling environment for young entrepreneurs to flourish in the agro-sylvo-pastoral and fisheries sectors.
“His Excellency, Dr Omar Alieu Touray, the president of ECOWAS Commission, has a strategy for his four years mandate, and we have promoted good governance and food security as part of that strategy.
“It is our belief that this training will create sustainable jobs for youths and also enhance food security in the region.
The skills you have acquired during these training courses are valuable assets, not only for your personal careers, but also for the economic growth of your country and of the ECOWAS community as a whole.,” she said.
Dr. Onyekachi Ibezim, the Deputy Governor of Anambra, stated that the state administration is deliberately pursuing youth training and an economic revolution.
Ibezim stated that, in light of the pioneer trainees’ anticipated success as billionaires from fish farming, the Anambra government appreciated ECOWAS for providing this training.
He encouraged the graduates to get in touch with the Anambra State Small Business Agency (ASBA) and stated that the state government has set aside funding to empower these trainees.
“The assurance the government of Prof Chukwuma Soludo is giving to enterprising youths in Anambra is that it is committed to ensuring that they are empowered with training and seed fund to ensure their prosperity,” he said.
