Participants at the just concluded Federal Government Intervention Initiative Programme on Poultry Farming in Okaka town have been urged to effectively utilize the knowledge gathered during the four-day training productively.
Stakeholders in the field of agriculture and community leaders in Okaka town gave stated this during the intensive training sessions, held at the Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology, Okaka outreach centre.
The event, organized by the Federal Government through the Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology, Moor-Plantation, Ibadan’s outreach centre in Okaka Town, was sponsored by the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development in collaboration with Halisa Muligineering International.
The training, which was designed to empower youths at the grassroot, was tagged ‘Capacity Building For Unemployed Youths, Women Group in Poultry Production, Processing and Associated Value Chains’.
No fewer than one hundred and twenty people have benefited from the programme across Oyo State.
In their separate remarks at the occasion, several dignitaries comprising His Royal Majesty Oba Abdul Azeez Olatunji Ayoola Ogelende IV, the Provost of the Institution Dr. Adekoya Olatunde Owosibo, the centre coordinator, Prof. Omole Adeboye Joseph, the Resource Manager Dr. Femi Banjoko, Mr Abatan, Okaka Community Chairman, Reverend Jeremiah Adeosun and a Community Leader, Dr Abdul Lateef Osuolale Ajibike admonished the beneficiaries to show dedication to their newly established poultry farms and nurture them to achieve prosperity.
While flagging off the programme, the duo of Prof Omole and Dr Banjoko took time to explain the importance of effective communication and networking in poultry farming production and urged the participants to take the initiative with all sense of seriousness.
The two experts, who underscored the importance of community engagement in poultry farming, urged the beneficiaries to transform the knowledge gathered during the training into reality.
In their goodwill messages, the Okaka Community Chairman, Reverend Jeremiah Adeosun and Dr Abdul lateef Ajibike eulogized the Federal Government and the authority of the Institution under the leadership of the Provost, Dr Adekoya Owosibo for taking cognizance of federal college of animal health and production technology, Okaka outreach centre and admonished the federal government through the institution to run an inclusive management system by including at least three members of okaka community into the governing council of the institution.
The leaders also requested for the appointment of a liaison officer who will serve as intermediary between the institution and the community.
They also called for the introduction of three academic programmes in okaka town, among other requests.
While assuring the institution of a stable electricity and total cooperation from the people of the town , the leaders saluted the comportment and the dedication of the participants, describing them as good ambassadors of the town.
The Provost, Federal College of Animal Health and Plant Production Technology Dr Adekoya Owosibo, who earlier paid a courtesy call to the palace of Olokaka as first point of call, assured the monarch of the readiness of the Institution through federal government intervention programmes to hit the ground running.
He assured Oba Abdul Azeez Olatunji Ayoola Ogelende IV of accelerated transformation of the town.
The Olokaka of Okaka Oba Abdul Azeez Olatunji, who in his magnanimity visited the center to assess the level of commitments towards the programme, commended the unwavering commitment of the team.
He urged the federal government to make the outreach functional while admonishing the beneficiaries of the noble gesture to make use of the opportunity with passion and dedication.
Highlights of the event was the presentation of customized kits by Dr Owosibo to the Kabiesi Olokaka and a minute silence was also observed in honour of the departed souls of Mr Rashid Adekunjo and Mr Festus Olanrewaju in recognition of their tremendous contributions to the centre.
During the four-day training programme, the participants were tutored on techniques for egg laying/production systems, types of housing, brooding, disease management and control, marketing and record keeping as well as broilers and layers productions respectively.
Report By Kaseem Jenrade