Poised to mitigate shortfalls in poultry farming and business in the country, Dangote Cement Plc has commenced a poultry skill acquisition and empowerment programme for youths.
According to the General Manager, Community Affairs/Special Duties, Mr. Ademola Adeyemi, the exercise was 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, includes Point 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 was an apt demonstration of teaching people 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 a high sense of commitment so they can succeed. He encouraged them to see the starter packs as a tree of mango that needs 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.
