Olu Samuel, Lokoja

Poised to mitigate shortfalls in poultry farming and business in the country, the Dangote Cement Plc has commenced a poultry skill acquisition and empowerment programme for Kogi youths.

According to the General Manager Community Affairs/Special Duties Mr. Ademola Adeyemi, the exercise is part of the 2023 community empowerment scheme for the youth in host communities of Kogi State.

He said the intervention will support the government in boosting poultry production and business.

According to him, 30 youths drawn from the catchment areas have so far been enlisted in the programme.

Mr. Adeyemi said the beneficiary host communities are: Oyo, Obajana, Iwaa and Apata.

“The training is expected to impart positively on poultry production, processing, record keeping and the entrepreneurial skills of the beneficiaries,” he said.

According to him, the Starter Packs have been handed over to the beneficiaries at an occasion attended by key stakeholders.

The content of the pack, he said, include: Point of Laying Hens, Battery Cages, Feeds medication and other working accessories.

He said the College of Education (Technical),Kabba is saddled with the responsibility of carrying out the training on behalf of the Dangote Cement Plc.

Provost of College of Education (Technical),Kabba, Dr. Jagboro Victoria Olusola (Mrs.) appreciated the Management of Dangote Cement Plc Obajana for this initiative.

She said that this singular effort is an apt demonstration of teaching people on how to fish.

Earlier, the Deputy Provost of the College, Mr. Michael Odoma, who is the anchored person in charge of the training, informed the Plant Director of Dangote Cement Plc, Obajana Plant, Mr. JV Gungune, that the trainees had had two and half months of classroom training sessions during which all aspects of poultry production, processing, bookkeeping, accounting, entrepreneurial skills, etc had been taught.

He added that the classroom teachings had been complemented with practical field visits to notable poultry businesses in and around Kogi State.

The Plant Director urged the beneficiaries to demonstrate high sense of commitment so they can succeed. He encouraged them to see the starter packs as a tree of mango that need to be nurtured to bear fruits year in year out on a sustainable basis.

He advised them to be disciplined, prudent and perseverance so that they can enjoy the maximum benefits of this initiative.

The Plant Director and the Provost later went on to present 30 starter packs to the participants.