The Ogun State Government through the State Agricultural and Multipurpose Credit Agency (OSAMCA) in collaboration with an agric firm, Al-Amin Aqua Farm, has organised a training for 100 young graduates on fish farming.

While speaking at the event in Ijebu-Ode, tagged, ‘Dapo Abiodun Acquisition and Empowerment Programme’ (DAAEP), Commissioner for Industry, Trade and Investment, Mrs. Kikelomo Longe said the training would promote fish farming culture among graduates, to enable them be self-reliant and be employers of labour.

Longe noted that the initiative would further upgrade the status of participants for higher quality output, towards achieving food sufficiency, saying the Prince Dapo Abiodun led administration remained committed to improving the living standard of the people, as well as providing a favourable environment for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to thrive.

"Our focus is to help MSMEs in the State, increase the higher protein intake level of the people, generate employment and position OSAMCA to perform better at realising the policy of the State government and given out loans to successful entrepreneurs who applied", she said.

The Commissioner stated that the present administration was also helping businesses through the Ogun State Government-Bank of Industry Joint N1bn Fund Scheme, which provides loans to cooperative societies and SMEs at subsidised rate of seven percent per annum.

"Process your fish, think big, dream big and be ready to export your fish to the world. See yourself as big-time producer of fish as the State government and other supporting partners are committed to the growth of your businesses", Longe assured.

Earlier speaking, OSAMCA Chairman, Mr. Abayomi Hunye said the programme was targeted at encouraging youths and young graduates in aquaculture farming and management, to reduce rate of unemployment in the country.

Hunye pointed out that they would also build their capacity on process of breeding and harvesting of aquatic creatures, which include fish, shell fish, algae, among others, saying fish farming is easy to set up and would continue to generate employment for the people.

Responding on behalf of other participants, Mr. Luqman Adisa appreciated the State government for the opportunity, assuring that the knowledge acquired would be put to judicious use.