Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu has recommended a training in Agriculture as a way of empowerment for our youths so as to enable them make a permanent living through Agriculture.
The Governor made the recommendation while declaring open the Abia State Poultry Clusters at Umuosu Umunna Nsulu in Isiala Ngwa North LGA. He disclosed that the idea to establish the poultry Clusters was conceived to meet the need to mentally train youths and get them prepared into the various dynamics of poultry farming.
The State Chief Executive reiterated that the Clusters would be replicated in all the senatorial zones in the State and could be extended to the 17 Local Government Areas in the State and charged Local Government Chairmen to provide chicks for their various LGAs.
The Governor who thanked the Central Bank of Nigeria for supporting various Agricultural policies of his administration and called on all Abians to embrace the project.
In a welcome address, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Prof. Ikechi Mgbeoji said Abia is the first State to not only key in but to have completed the project among the States in Nigeria. He praised the efforts of Governor Ikpeazu to ensure that the project is a reality which he said would be targeted at empowering over ten thousand Abia youths.
Prof. Mgbeoji informed that apart from the one being commissioned at Umuosu Umunna Nsulu for Abia Central zone, other centers where the Abia State Poultry Clusters would be sited to include: Okoko Item in Bende for Abia North, Ovom in Obingwa LGA for Abia South.
In good will message, the House Committee Chairman on Agriculture, Barr. Okey lauded the policies of the Governor in Agriculture and declared that the house would enact laws that would back up such policies.
Also speaking in a goodwill message, the Head, Development Finance Office of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), partners of the project, Mr. Ogbuagu Camillus noted that Abia State is not only the first State to complete the first phase of the Accelerated Agricultural Development Scheme (AADS) but one that would start creating numerous jobs through the project.
Highlights of the event included the the cutting of tape of the Administrative block the poultry pens and the plant house.
