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The member representing Ogbaru federal constituency of Anambra state in the 10th National Assembly, Hon. Victor Afam Ogene has sponsored training of 50 members of his constituency on modernised fish farming techniques.
The beneficiaries comprised 40 female and 10 male farmers in the rich agricultural riverine area of Anambra state.
The training which was held at Iyiowa-Odekpe area in Ogbaru local government area yesterday was organised by Hon. Ogene who is chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Renewable Energy in collaboration with the Federal Co-operative College, Oji River, Enugu state and private agro-firm, Z-Index Limited.
The beneficiaries who later received start-up modern fish farming equipment were thoroughly trained on how to establish a fishery business, including how to handle fingerlings till maturity age.
They were also taught in details about the types of feed to breed the fish, how to feed them, the kind of supplement and hygiene required for optimal health and growth of the fish.
In addition to undergoing the theoretical session, the trainers later engaged the trainees in practical demonstrations of the procedure for fishery management. They were also given business tips in the field, after which they received startup packages which included fingerlings, plastic tanks, fish feed, fish antibiotics and cash grant.
Leader of the trainers, a renowned mechanised farmer in the federal constituency, Mr. Arinze Nzeli, commended the empowerment gesture of Hon. Ogene, describing it as a potential game changer in the lives of the beneficiaries.
He described farming as "game changer, great economic booster, both for the farmers and the society at large".
He testified that Farming has made him a great person.
He said"Farming has evidently changed my life. I'm into fishery, poultry, and other forms of animal husbandry in this Ogbaru. And I can attest that if you are very dedicated, fishery can take one out of poverty. So, I encourage the beneficiaries of this training and empowerment programme to be very committed to this business and within a short period of time, they also will testify. It would offer them the needed opportunity for self employment and job creation too.
"I want to particularly thank our Honourable (Victor Afam Ogene) for setting up a committee to monitor the progress of the beneficiaries, especially as he has promised to further assist those who take the business seriously," Mr. Nzeli said.
Hon. Ogene said the training and empowerment programme was part of his economic development strategy in Ogbaru Federal Constituency.
Ogene said, "Our aim is not just to give our people fish, but to also teach them how to fish.
"We will continue to facilitate skills acquisition and entrepreneurship opportunities for our people that will help them thrive in life. Apart from university education, which we also support with access and opportunities for our people, we also thought it wise to incorporate some economic enhancing soft skills in addition to useful skills in evolving technologies which we started weeks ago with the training in solar energy for our youths.
"We will continue to do our best in this regard in addition to some physical projects - some of which are already ongoing - which we have facilitated for the good and development of our people," Hon. Ogene stated further.
One of the beneficiaries, Madam Oluchi Acholonu from Atani area said, "I'm thanking God Almighty for the person of Hon. Afam Ogene, who is a God-sent to the people of Ogbaru Federal Constituency to lead the people and assist them in ways that would alleviate poverty, with his wise empowerment initiatives.
At the end of the training we were empowered with 1 big fish tank, 100 pieces of fishes(juveniles), bags of fish feed and some cash to startup the business"
Another participant, Mrs. Nkechi Nsofor, said she couldn't contain her joy regarding the wonderful event describing the programme as the first time their representative in government organised such training for them in the area.
Earlier, in September, Hon. Ogene had facilitated the training of 100 Ogbaru youths in the federal constituency on solar energy technology and provided the beneficiaries with start-up equipment and cash grants.