The Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology has conducted vocational training on Fisheries, Poultry and other aspects of animal production techniques, for unemployed youths across the South-West Nigeria.
The training, which was sponsored by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, was organized in conjunction with Teebex Global Resources Ltd and Emerald Global Resources Nigeria Limited.
The programme started on Tuesday, October 18, 2022 at the college; it was conducted in two different segments—theory and practical—the theory part had both lecture and discussion sessions and there was a practical segment of the training.
Declaring the event open, the provost of the college, Dr Adekoya Olatunde Owosibo, said that the training has been going on since 1993, explaining that such training are the efforts of the federal government to lift many Nigerians out of poverty.
He added that the institution is an affiliate of the Mississippi State University of the United States, while announcing that the college, in November, will be the first College of Agriculture in the country to offer Higher National Diploma courses in various areas of the Science Laboratory Technology.
While also announcing that the FCAH&PT has been named a Centre for Excellence by the National Board for Technical Education, he stated that the institution is the first to ever offer a course in Agribusiness, among all the citadels of higher learning in the country, be it university, polytechnic, mono-technic and otherwise.
“Like you have already heard, this is not the first time the college is holding such training; it has been going on since 1993. This college is not only training people in Animal Sciences alone. Come November, this college will be officially recognized as the first College of Agriculture to float Higher National Diploma in various SLT courses, 14 courses. The school is also affiliated to one of the best schools of Animal Sciences in the world, the Mississippi State University, due to our dedication and commitment to excellence,” he said.
“This college is the first institution, university, polytechnic, college of education, college of agriculture or any other, to offer a course called Agribusiness in Nigeria. That is why we have been named Centre for Excellence by the NBTE.”
He further called on the participants to take advantage of the training, stating that expectation is high on them; he added that the school will continue to offer them free consultancy services, while highlighting the developmental strides his administration has recorded in barely two years.
“One of the results of all our efforts is that the issue of frozen chicken has become a thing of the past. It was everywhere before but we advised our people that we can produce enough chicken for our country. As you can see, the story has changed. So we urge all the participants to take advantage of this rare opportunity. Everyone is now counting on you as one of those who are going to lift Nigeria out of recession. We will always be there to offer you free consultancy service. The group we created is for you, whenever you have any question on animal production please feel free to ask.
“If you look at the college you will see many developmental projects going on. You will see the dual carriage road, which I embarked on, when I assumed office as the provost in 2020. From the beginning to the end of the compound you will see lots of upstairs that are being built,” he said.
In his own opening remarks, the organizer of the event, Director of Vocation of the College, Dr O.J. Banjoko explained that the college offers both short term and long term training.
Both the provost and Dr Banjoko thanked President Muhammadu Buhari, the Minister of Agriculture, Dr Mahmood Abubakar, and his co-coordinator of the ministry, Alh. Mustapha Baba Shehuri as well as the Executive Secretary, Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria, Prof.  Garba Sharubutu.
Other dignitaries who spoke at the event include the consultant of the Emerald Global Resources, Prof. Omode, consultants of Fisheries (Teebex) Pastor Peter Oyedare and Mr Ipatola Adeyemo, as well as Dr Mrs Adedeji, who offered the vote of thanks.
Others, who were present, include Director of Project and Head Department of Agribusiness, Dr Abdulganiyu Ibrahim, the bursar of the college, Mr Osadiran, represented by Mr Mohammadu Oloruntoba, internal auditor, Mr A.O. Olayinka and representatives of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.