[dropcap]I[/dropcap]ke Abiagom writes on efforts made by Federal Government of Nigeria in conjunction with Federal Cooperative College,Orji River to train self-employable Nigerians through the effective creation and encouragement of cooperative societies.
No fewer than five Hundred (500) Cooperators attended the seminar which was held at the Oshimili North Council Hall in Ibusa,Delta State on friday 21st of August 2022. This special one day Capacity Building and Skill Acquisition on farm products and marketing for farmers in South-South Zone which was powered by Federal Government of Nigeria(FGN)and was anchored by the Federal Cooperative College,(FCC),Orji River,Enugu State, under the Cooperative value chain.
The South-South Cooperators, hence, were drawn from the states in the zone including food processors, fish farmers, crop producers, garri processors, as well as attracted commercial banks,Media groups and traders.
The Director of Procurement,Federal Cooperative College (FCC), Idewu.C. Okeze, who facilitated the training,said it is targeted at unearthing and nurturing the hidden potentials of the trainee and urged cooperators to acquire the right knowledge and skills needed in order to grow their enterprises beyond sole proprietorship.
Mr Okeze noted that Federal Government vision was to train, retrain, direct and assist cooperative societies on best practices to survive the challenges caused by the hardship so as to equip them to become the highest employers of labour and food suppliers.
He said, “There are high expectations from the beneficiaries. We never minced our words that it is for our benefit. We felt that there is need to take the bull by the horn to address the problem of unemployment.
Okeze, also commended the Federal Government for the one day free training programs for cooperators in South-South zone.The aim of the programs is to encourage entrepreneurship, create job and wealth for Nigerians is widely accepted as many have embraced the program.
“The way the various entrepreneurship development programs have been received across the South-South zone shows that the Federal Government knew what the people wanted. Presently the Federal Government has met the yearnings of the people especially the youths, who are eagerly looking for opportunities to be enlisted into any of the programs’’ said Okeze.
He advised the beneficiaries to be truthful to themselves and learn all they need to learn, interact with one another, keep in touch with their trainers.
Speaking with journalists in Ibusa , one of the participants, Winifred Nkeaka a graduate and an entrepreneur said, “Though I am managing a small business, with this training, everything will change, because the opportunity to be here has not just boosted my morale but has also opened my eyes to so many things which will help in sustaining my businesses and I will forever be grateful to Federal Government and Federal Cooperative College for the genuine interest in helping the society.”
Another participant, Mrs Kate Mokobia livestock farmer who specializes in piggery said, “I have been in this business for more than 20 years and I have been doing it in my local way but during the training, I have learned so many things which I will apply and I’m optimistic that it will improve yields and productivity.”
During the training, the participants have grouped themselves into a cooperative society and promise to register and sustain it.
The Director of Procurement, Federal Cooperative College,Orji River, Mr.Idewu.C. Okeze while presenting certificates to the participants said they should count themselves lucky to be part of the training and thank Federal Government and Federal Cooperative College for their genuine passion and interest in the economic advancement of the people.
He implored the beneficiaries to apply the knowledge they have acquired so far in their businesses and teach others so as to have a better society. “With this training, you are good to start and flourish in your businesses, once again I want to congratulate and wish you all the best in life.”
