By ALABA OLUSOLA OKE

The Ondo State Government on Friday started the training of over 75,000 youth in broiler production to address unemployment and ensure availability of chicken meat.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the training, which took place on Friday in Isuada, Owo Local Government Area of the state, was tagged ?Adiye Irorun?.

The programme was run by the Ondo State Agricbusiness Empowerment Centre (OSAEC).

Mr Orioye Gbayisemore, Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the state Governor on Youth Empowerment and Job Creation, said the training was meant to empower youths across the state and make them self-sufficient.

Gbayisemore said the project would have multiplier effects on the state?s economy.

The SSA, represented by Mr Eniafe Ojo, Vice President of National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), said the project would guarantee transformation to prosperity.

He said that the initiative had been the yearning of youths in the state, while it would ensure agricultural revolution through livestock.

?Adiye Irorun will make our youths employed in Ondo State. Our ease has come and youths are enjoying it. A lot of resources have been budgeted for this programme.

?This programme will enable them to learn and earn money substantially. The training is taking place in all three senatorial districts of the state.

?This is a positive short cut to prosperity and the first phase will last for six weeks. A lot of millionaires will be made among the youths,? he said.

Gbayisemore said the participants would receive intensive training in broiler production, which covers modern feeding techniques, disease management, and profitable marketing strategies.

The SSA said the initiative would transform lives of youths in the state as it was heavily funded by the state government with all resources provided.

Also, the Director of Livestock In OSAEC, Mr James Akinbuwa, described the project as laudable, saying broiler production was a formidable one that could not be exhausted.

Akinbuwa said the first set of beneficiaries would surely advertise the importance of the project, and expressed optimism that more people would still register to join.

He said the project was designed to build a new generation of agrienpreneurs in the state.

According to him, the participants will be supported to start their own poultry businesses, with access to technical guidance and market opportunities.

?Anyone with interest in the project should come to the OSAEC Office in Akure. In the next few years, the project will have reduced drastically the rate of youth unemployment,? he said.

Similarly, Dr Adebayo Ehinmowo, the Director of Veterinary Services in the state Ministry of Agriculture, said that the project would take many youths out of the unemployment market.

Ehinmowo said the government would empower the beneficiaries and facilitate on how to access credit facilities for as many that wanted to go into large scale poultry farming.

Also, the resource person, Mr Agunbiade Jimoh, said the goal of the training was to enlighten the participants on how to go about broiler production.

Jimoh asked the participants prioritise good management and brooding in ensuring strong and viable broiler production, especially in the first two weeks.

One of the beneficiaries, Mr Pamilerin Opabisi, appreciated Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa for approving the project, saying it would enable him to be financially enabled to meet his targets.

Similarly, Miss Excel Emmanuel, another beneficiary, expressed gratitude to the state governor, stating that she would optimally make use of the opportunity to benefit her world. (NAN)

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