Member, representing Ikorodu federal constituency at the House of Reps, Hon Babajimi Benson has empowered 30 youths from his constituency with Agricultural skill empowerment training aimed at making them become self-reliant.
Speaking on the training, Hon Benson said, ‘This is a 2-week residential training, organized by my humble self, through my foundation, I-Care Foundation in partnership with the Nigerian Army Resettlement Centre, Oshodi Lagos’.
‘Participants were trained on different levels of Agro businesses, ranging from fish farming, crop production and other forms of sustainable agric businesses that can make them wealthy’ he added.
Hon Benson noted that the training is geard towards encouraging the youths to tap into opportunities in small scale agric businesses. He also commended the courage of the 30 graduands out of the 50 initial applicants for daring all odds during last week’s post-#EndSARS violence to participate in the training.
Lady Lt A.G Ayoola coordinator of the training programme also charged the graduands to ensure they put the knowledge and skills acquired during the training to optimal use.
‘We have exposed the trainees to several sections of Agricultural practice. For the animals section, we have large remnant animal like cattles, sheeps and goats. For the birds we have layers, boilers and turkey, and likewise we have snails, fish and pigs. All these we have exposed them both in the theory and practical aspect’, she stated.
‘We have taught them to know the value of land and make them realise that, with just N200 they can buy seeds they can plant and make thousands of naira in returns after harvest’, she added.
She equally charged those who nominated the participants to do a follow up on them with a view to making sure that these graduands put the knowledge acquired during the training to practice.
Lt Ayoola was also full of praises to Hon Benson for initiating the programme.
‘I want to specially appreciate Hon Babajimi Benson for facilitating this training for these youths. It is like hiding them in this place, throughout the two weeks instead of getting involved in looting and violent attacks of the past weeks’, she added.
Some of the participants expressed their appreciations to Hon Jimi Benson and his I-Care Foundation for giving them the opportunity to be part of the training.
A retired Army Officer, Oyewunmi Taiwo said, ‘I have learnt a lot during this training. Even as a retiree, I want to go into agric business. I thank Hon Benson for organizing the training’.
A young female participant, Dipo-Adedoyin Praise, an undergraduate of Agricultural Extension was also full of thanks to organisers of the training.
‘For me, this training has been quite insightful. It is an eye-opener. I intend to put the knowledge and experience gathered through this training to practice when I get home and even when I get back to school.
She also thanked Hon Jimi Benson for giving her and other participants the training opportunity.
Commandant of the Nigerian Army Resettlement Centre Oshodi, Air Vice Marshall K.G Lar and the Director of Training, Brigadier General Bwala applauded Hon Jimi Benson for partnering with the Nigerian Army to empower the youths.
A major highpoint of the 2-week training was the presentation of Certificates and cash support to the participants.
