Federal Government has trained more than 75,000 youths in skill acquisition through Innovation Development and Effective in the Acquisition of Skills (IDEAS) TVET initiative.
National Project Coordinator, Mrs Blessing Ogwu, spoke at the launch of six months’ free training of 100 trainees in Agriculture and Aquaculture in Badagry, Lagos State.
The programme is organised by Federal Ministry of Education, IDEAS-TVET Initiative, in conjunction with SejFarms Consults Limited.
Ogwu said the training had been on since five years ago, though there were other components.
“But for this IDEAS-TVET Initiative, it started in late 2024 and we have done the first cohort. This is the second cohort.
“The aim is to train youths in skills, especially skill transfer.
“What youths need most is to be taken off the streets and equipped to be self-sustained.’’
“So far, we are looking at engaging over 75,000 youths before the end of the programme,” she further said.
She lauded the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa and World Bank for helping youths.
The Managing Director, SejFarms Consults Ltd, Mr Sejiro Oke-Tojinu, said the participants, mainly graduate of agriculture, would become better farmers that would improve food security agenda by the Federal Government.
Mr Nurudeen Tiamiyu, the coordinator of the training, said after the programme, participants should have enough hands on experience in agriculture in the whole value chain.
Mr Peter Dansu, the media aide to Prince Sesi Whingan, the lawmaker representing Badagry Federal Constituency, advised beneficiaries of the training to take advantage of the programme to become professional farmers.
Mr Augustine Kiki, a teacher, who represented Lagos State Commissioner for Youths and Social Development, Mr Mobolaji Ogunlende, enjoined the beneficiaries to take the training seriously and make best out of it.
Assistant Chief Fisheries Officer, Ministry of Agriculture and Food systems, Mrs Toying PoT-Balogun, advised the beneficiaries to make Lagos proud by taking advantage of the programme for their own benefits.
