The Member Representing Isoko South 2 Constituency in the Delta State House of Assembly, Hon (Chief) Ferguson Onwo has presented take off grants to the 38 constituents sponsored for skill acquisition in Agriculture at Bioresourses Development Centre, Odi, Bayelsa State.
Hon Onwo at the ceremony which also featured presentations of Certificates to each of the 38 trainees, said the gesture was part of his empowerment programs for youths across Isoko South 2 Constituency, under the auspices of Okpobrisi Sustainable Development Scheme.
In attendance at the ceremony held in Olomoro, Isoko South were Honorables Austin Uroye, Emmanuel Sinebe and Kenneth Ogba of the State House of Assembly, the PDP Chairman, Delta South, Chief Jullius Takeme as well as Commissioners for Oil and Gas, Emmanuel Amgbadugba, Agriculture and Natural Resources, Julius Egbedi and that of Youths Development, Mr Ifeanyi Egwuyenga and the Bishop of Oleh Diocese of Anglican Communion, Rt Rev John Aruakpor among others.
The Lawmaker disclosed that the 38 youths were carefully selected for the intensive skill acquisition program on equal representation from all the wards in the constituency and were trained in Snail Farming, Fishery, Grass-Cutter husbandry, Macro Propagation of Banana and Plantain and Mushroom Productions.
Flanked by his wife, Anthonia, Hon Onwo said the presentation of starter packs and certificates to the trainees were the high points of the program and expressed happiness over the successful completion of stream A of the youth empowerment scheme.
Hon Onwo who is the Chairman, House Committee on Housing and Women Affairs, stated that his focus is to reduce reliance on government jobs and create employment for the teaming youths in the Constituency, in line with the policy direction of Dr Ifeanyi Okowa’s led administration.
The Isoko South 2 Legislator expressed satisfaction with the level of commitments and performance by the trainees and charged them to put to good use knowledge acquired in the course of the training.
The State Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mr. Julius Egbedi commended Hon Ferguson Onwo for the training program, stressing that the Ministry was willing to partner with elected and political appointees who wants to empower their constituents through agriculture.
Mr. Egbedi urged Deltans to key into the agricultural programmes of the Okowa’s administration and the various agricultural programmes of the Central Bank of Nigeria, noting that the state government has procured twenty tractors to support farmers.
Also speaking the State Commissioner for Youth Development Mr Ifeanyi Egwuyenga said Hon Ferguson Onwo has redefined empowerment by taking it to a sustainable level adding that it was in line with the STEP and YAGEP programs of the state government..
For his part, the Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party, Delta South Senatorial District, Chief Julius Takeme who lauded Hon Ferguson Onwo said he has given the youths permanent empowerment and urged the people to continue their support for the state government and the party.
Some officials of Bioresources Development Centre, Odi, Bayelsa State including the Head of Administration, Mrs Ada Anulobi and Head Bio- Entrepreneurship Training, Mr Tawov Hezekiah said the training of the youths in the Centre was a wise choice and promised to provide technical support and markets for their products .
Some of the beneficiaries who spoke including a physical challenged graduate, Mr Esume Emmanuel thanked the lawmaker for the empowerment program, saying it was first of its kind in the area and promised not to disappoint him.
The highlight of the event was the presentation of different cheques amounting to ten million naira to the facilitators who were empowered to set up the farms for each of the trainees.
Presentation of certificates to the beneficiaries were performed by dignitaries present, where the member representing Isoko South one in the State House of Assembly, Hon Kenneth Ogba,
gave the physical challenged trainee, Esume Emmanuel two hundred thousand naira for participating in the program
