Bauchi Residents Laud ITF’s Fishery, Farm Skills Programme

Some residents of Bauchi have commended the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) for its fishery skills training programme in the state.

ITF has initiated a three-month fishery training for over 100 youth and women under the 2022 National Industrial Skills Development Programme (NISDP) and Agripreneurship Skills Empowerment Programme (Ag SEP).

The exercise, which is designed to expose the youths to fish farming to enable them to become self-reliant would be run from August to November, 2022.

A cross session of the beneficiaries, who spoke in Bauchi on Thursday, said the gesture avail them opportunity to learn fishery skills and engage in profitable venture.

One of the trainees, Mrs Favour Philemon said she learnt a lot from the training programme, adding the exercise impacted positively and equipped her with skills to set up her business.

“Initially; I didn’t know what fishery is all about, now, I learnt a lot and I can start fish business.

“We are exposed to breeding, brooding and other interesting things about fish culture.

“I count myself lucky to be part of the fishery training programme because I have been idle since my graduation from school,” she said

She, however, urged the Federal Government and the ITF to assist the beneficiaries with starter packs to enable them to set up their businesses at the end of the exercise.

Another beneficiary, Mrs Esther Dokas, said the gesture would stimulate job creation for the youths, reduce poverty and enhance wealth creation in the society.

She expressed readiness to ensure effective utilisation of the skills by engaging in productive activities to provide employment to others.

“Apart from setting up my own fish farm, I will also help other unemployed youths by teaching them what I’ve learnt during the fishery training exercise. 

“My message to fellow trainees is that they shouldn’t just go home and sleep on the skills acquired,” she said, and advised the youth to shun idleness by engaging in productive activities.

For his part; Gaddafi Lawal, described the training as imperative towards achieving youth empowerment and food security in the country. 

He advised the beneficiaries against diversion of the fishery kits to be distributed to them at the end of their training and engage in fishery.

“Fish farming is a lucrative trade, especially in northern part of the country. You raise, harvest and supply fish to the market at good price,” he said.