Jesse Ese, Yenagoa
As part of the efforts of the government to fight against youth restiveness, about 250 youths in Bayelsa State will undergo a vocational training in cinematography, photography, automobile technology, fashion designing and ICT at the Amachree Royal Academy in Benin Republic.
The Executive Governor of Bayelsa State, Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson, who spoke during the reception of the granduands of the agricultural programme and send forth of the 250 youths for the training programme in Yenagoa, said that agriculture remains the major employer of labour.
The Chief Executive, who was represented by his Deputy, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah (Rtd), noted that Government’s vision of ensuring food production would be realized when the youths are engaged in massive aqua-culture and cassava production in collaboration with the private sector.
In his words, “We have said severally that agriculture is the main employer of labour. We have the Burma farm and similar ones that we are trying to resuscitate. There is also the scheme of cassava farms in collaboration with foreign companies.”
He added that it is only a private- driven economy that can provide employment for the people while it behooves on Government to create the enabling environment for wealth creation and job opportunities.
He also stated that the different forms of training in both agriculture and technical skills would go a long way in providing empowerment and self-reliance for the teeming youths in the State.
While expressing concern over the absence of indigenes in automobile technology and other technical skills in the state, Gov. Dickson said the situation was compounded by the lack of industries in the State and stressed Government’s determination to address such deficiencies.
While he was addressing the 250 trainees expected to undergo vocational training at the Amachree Royal Academy, he charged them to take the training seriously, noting that upon the completion of the training; it would not only enable them become self-reliant but and also create jobs for others.
Commissioner of Agriculture, Dr. Thomas Commander, in his speech, congratulated the graduates for the successful completion of the programme in spite of some challenges. Dr. Commander expressed Government’s desire to engage some of the graduates, while others intend to be self-reliant.
Also, the Commissioner for Science and Technology, Mr. Parkinson Macmanuel, added that the 250 trainees would depart the state for Benin Republic on the 1ST of next month.
One of the beneficiaries, Mr. Neinein Ekpebu, who spoke, lauded the State Government for finding them worthy for the training programme. He also said that they have been empowered to be more productive to themselves and to the larger society.
