The Institute of Entrepreneurship and Vocational Training, Bayelsa State, in partnership with the University of Port Harcourt’s TAGDev 2.0 Programme, has kicked off a two-day intensive training aimed at equipping out-of-school youths with practical skills in rice and aquaculture value chains.
Supported by the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) and the Mastercard Foundation, the two-day intensive training aims to equip young people with practical knowledge in rice and aquaculture value chains as part of broader efforts to promote youth empowerment and sustainable livelihoods.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Rector of IEVT, Dr Zuobomudor Edwin Agbana, described the initiative as "a gateway of opportunity" for youths outside formal education to acquire enterprise-driven skills.
Agbana explained that agriculture today goes beyond subsistence, serving as a viable pathway to prosperity and national development.
According to him, the programme would expose participants to key areas such as agronomic practices, integrated rice-fish systems, soil fertility management, and product development.
He urged government agencies, private investors, and development partners to sustain their support beyond the training, stressing that collective effort is essential for building resilient systems that enable youths to thrive as entrepreneurs.
Delivering the keynote address, TAGDev 2.0 Coordinator at the University of Port Harcourt, Prof Ibisime Etela, reaffirmed the programme’s commitment to inclusivity and equity.
Etela said the initiative is designed to ensure that women, displaced persons, and differently abled individuals are not excluded from agricultural innovation and development.
"TAGDev 2.0 promotes gender-sensitive policies, mentorship for women in agriculture, and adaptive learning opportunities for marginalized and displaced youths.
"For differently abled persons, we emphasize accessible training environments and tools that encourage participation in agribusiness innovation — building an inclusive Africa where everyone can contribute meaningfully to growth," he said.
In his goodwill message, Bayelsa State Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Prof Bekes Sese, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Dr Hamilton Ekeke, commended the organisers for aligning the initiative with the state government’s ASSURED Prosperity Agenda.
Sese believed that the programme supports Bayelsa’s focus on agriculture and industrialisation, which prioritises food security, job creation, and agribusiness development.
He urged participants to take full advantage of the training, stressing that the skills and knowledge acquired should translate into productivity and wealth creation.
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