By Faridat Salifu
The Federal Government has launched an intensive crop production training programme for youths in Ibadan under the IDEAS–TVET initiative of the Federal Ministry of Education.
The programme, supported by the World Bank, is designed to strengthen Technical and Vocational Education and Training institutions and improve youth employability through practical agricultural skills.
Organised by JOLAP, in partnership with Hort Consultancy Ventures Limited, a subsidiary of the National Horticultural Research Institute, the training aims to equip 200 young people with hands-on competencies in crop production.
Welcoming participants, Training Project Manager Gabriel Oyedola described the flag-off as a major step towards empowering youths with entrepreneurial skills for sustainable livelihoods.
He said the programme would provide participants with the knowledge, mentorship and technical guidance needed to succeed in agriculture.
National Project Coordinator of the IDEAS Project, Blessing Ogwu, represented by Akintunde Babatunde, said the initiative reflected a renewed national commitment to transforming Nigeria’s skills ecosystem.
Ogwu urged the trainees to approach the programme with discipline and focus, noting that the competencies they would acquire were critical tools for innovation, independence and nation-building.
Executive Director of NIHORT, Professor Muhammed Attanda, reaffirmed the institute’s readiness to support the project with tools, expertise and manpower to ensure its success.
He said the initiative aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda of achieving food sufficiency across the country.
Coordinator of Training and Services at Hort Consultancy Ventures Limited, Dr Akintunde Akinfasoye, advised participants to maximise the opportunity provided by the Federal Government.