BAYELSA GOVT SPONSORS 250 YOUTHS FOR VOCATIONAL TRAINING, AS AGRIC TRAINEES PASS OUT

250 youths from Bayelsa State are to undergo vocational training in automobile technology, cinematography, photography, fashion designing and ICT at the Amachree Royal Academy in Benin Republic.

This was in addition to the 200 youths that recently completed their 6 months training in the Agricultural programme at the Songhai Integrated System in the same Country.

Speaking at the reception of the graduands of the agricultural programme and send forth of the 250 youths for the training programme in Yenagoa, Governor Seriake Dickson emphasized that agriculture remained the major employer of labour.

The Governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah (Rtd), noted that Government’s vision of ensuring food production would be realized when the youths are engaged in massive aqua-culture and cassava production in collaboration with the private sector.

“We have said severally that agriculture is the main employer of labour. We have the Burma farm and similar ones that we are trying to resuscitate. There is also the scheme of cassava farms in collaboration with foreign companies.”

According to the Governor, it is only a private- driven economy that can provide employment for the people while it behooves on Government to create the enabling environment for wealth creation and job opportunities.

He disclosed that the different forms of training in both agriculture and technical skills would go a long way in providing empowerment and self-reliance for the teeming youths in the State.

Expressing concern over the absence of indigenes in automobile technology and other technical skills in the State, Chief Dickson said the situation was compounded by the lack of industries in the State and stressed Government’s determination to address such deficiencies.

Addressing the 250 trainees expected to undergo vocational training at the Amachree Royal Academy, the Governor charged them to take the training seriously, noting that upon the completion of the training it would not only enable them become self-reliant but and also create jobs for others.

In his remarks, the Commissioner of Agriculture, Dr. Thomas Commander, congratulated the graduates for the successful completion of the programme in spite of some challenges.

He expressed Government’s desire to engage some of the graduates, while others intend to be self-reliant..

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Science and Technology, Mr. Parkinson Macmanuel said the 250 trainees would depart the State for Benin Republic on the 1 ST of next month.

In his remarks, one of the beneficiaries, Mr. Neinein Ekpebu thanked the State Government for finding them worthy for the training programme, adding that they have been empowered to be more productive to themselves and to the larger society.

Daniel Iworiso-Markson

Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Bayelsa State
28/11/2013