Federal College of Education, Okene played host to farmers from Kogi Central Senatorial District who participated in a 2-day Enlightenment Training on seed development. The Enlightenment training which took place in the School of Arts and Social Sciences auditorium was facilitated by the Office of the Clerk of the National Assembly.
In an address presented by the Special Adviser on Special Duties to the Speaker of House Representatives, he thanked the Management and staff of the College for playing host to the much needed enlightenment training on seed development, and welcomed guests and participants to the exercise. He stated that the present administration of President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR, is much concerned in improving Nigeria’s agricultural production. He advised the participants to utilize the training they went through because of its impacts on Agricultural Capacity Building and as a youth empowerment strategy. He revealed that the programme have some direct and indirect impact on the teeming farmers in Kogi Central with multiplier effects that will go a long way in empowering the youth population socially and economically.
In his speech, the representative of Clerk of National Assembly, Alhaji A. Kasim said the programme was not the first and certainly would not be the last of their intervention in building the agricultural capacity and production of farmers in Kogi Central. He revealed further that some beneficiaries were trained last year and at the same time empowered. He therefore urged them to utilize the training they went through so that they would be impactful to the society. He said that the sum of N10, 000.00 would be given to them each for their transport fare, and also the sum of N40, 000.00 would be given to each of them to support their farm production. He also said that they would be supported with farm tools such as spraying machines and chemical sack bags to enable them preserve their farm products.
Participants appreciated the opportunity given to them and expressed the hopes that the training would expose them more in the practice of agriculture and would also add value to their lives, and urged the people to venture into agricultural business.
The Provost of the College, Dr Umar Hassan in his remarks said he was highly delighted that the programme was held in the College. While praying for Allah’s guidance, he expressed the hope that more of such programme would be held in the College every year. He advised the participants to use the knowledge acquired from the training judiciously base on the enlightenment programme and thanked the organizers for the well-thought and timely enlightenment training.
