ECOWAS Partners Anambra to Train 200 Youths in Fish Production
By Uzo Ugwunze
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has partnered with the Anambra State Government to train 200 youths in table fish production under the ECOWAS Youth Employability Programme 2.0.
The induction ceremony for the 200 trainees and the formal launch of the programme in Anambra State were held at the ETF Building Auditorium, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), Igbariam.
Speaking at the event, the Coordinator of the Taenprowiz Production Business System and Technology Partnership Centre in Anambra State, who also serves as the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Business Development Agency (FABDA), Mr. Emeka Iloghalu, expressed appreciation for the support received from the state government and ECOWAS.
He emphasized that the programme aims to reduce youth restiveness and create employment opportunities.
“We are here to launch and induct the training for 200 youths on the Taenprowiz Production Business System and Technology,” “The Taenprowiz fish production system is a comprehensive business solution that promotes the commercialization of fish farming.
“We have spent about two months working closely with the trainees, and today’s event marks a significant milestone. For those who were not part of this batch — or missed out on the first group of 150 trained last year — more opportunities will come.
“After this training, each participant is expected to engage in the fish business in at least one or more of three ways:As a skilled and professional employee in the fish production sector;As a cooperative member contributing to a fish production enterprise from a position of proficiency; and As an informed investor capable of evaluating fish production ventures.”Iloghalu said.
Iloghalu commended Prof. Jude Obi and his team from the West African Secretariat of Ecological Organic Agriculture (WASEOA) for coordinating the training simultaneously in Benin Republic, Togo, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia, and Nigeria, in collaboration with the Association of Organic Agriculture Practitioners of Nigeria.
Representing the Anambra State Commissioner for Youths, Hon. Patrick Aghamba, Mr. Kingsley Ozalagba urged participants to remain focused and make the most of the opportunity to acquire life-changing skills.
“Our visionary Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, established FABDA to make fish production a viable and profitable venture in Anambra State,” Ozalagba said.
In his address, the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, represented by Prof. Jude Obi, lamented that over 75 percent of youths in the West African region remain unemployed. He noted that this high unemployment rate contributes to low productivity across various sectors, particularly the agro-sylvo-pastoral and fisheries industries, which are struggling to integrate young people into traditional systems.
Prof. Obi further announced that the 10 best trainees among the 1,280 youths undergoing fish production training across the six West African countries would receive special awards from ECOWAS.
“With so many vibrant youths roaming the streets of West Africa, initiatives like this in Anambra are commendable. ECOWAS will continue to invest more when the results of programmes like this prove sustainable and impactful,” he added.
Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of COOU, Prof. Kate Omenugha, commended ECOWAS and the Taenprowiz team for their commitment to agriculture and food security.
She reaffirmed the university’s dedication to achieving Zero Hunger, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“Our Healthy Living Farm demonstrates this commitment by promoting organic farming and sustainability,” “It also serves as a training ground for students, especially those in the Faculty of Agriculture.”Omenugha said.
The highlight of the ceremony was the formal induction of the 200 trainees into the fish production programme, conducted by Mr. Gbadamosi R. Oyewole, ECOWAS-WASEOA Coordinator for Nigeria.
