To mitigate a looming shortfall in poultry farming, the Dangote Cement Plc has commenced a poultry skill acquisition and empowerment programme for youths .

According to the General Manager, Community Affairs/Special Duties of the company, Mr. Ademola Adeyemi, the exercise is part of the 2023 community empowerment scheme for youths in host communities in the state.

He said the intervention would 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.

Adeyemi said the 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, include: point of laying hens, battery cages, feeds medication and other working accessories.

He revealed that the College of Education (Technical), Kabba, is saddled with the responsibility of carrying out the training on behalf of the company.

Provost of the College, Dr. Jagboro Victoria Olusola, appreciated the firm for this initiative.

She said the singular effort is an apt demonstration of teaching people on how to fish.
Earlier, the Deputy Provost of the College, Mr. Michael Odoma, who is the anchor person in charge of the training, informed the Plant Director, Mr. JV Gungune, that the trainees 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 the state.

The Plant Director urged the beneficiaries to demonstrate high sense of commitment so they can succeed.

While encouraging 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 on the need to be disciplined and prudent so that they can enjoy the maximum benefits of the initiative.