By © JAE media
It was an Epoch-making Event as the Commissioner for Agriculture and Irrigation Development, Hon. Johnson Ebokpo Jr. graced the occasion of the 2nd graduation ceremony of 210 Youths and I.T Students organized by the management of Cross River Basin Development Authority.
In his goodwill message, Commissioner Ebokpo who was very certified on noticing irrigation pipes in the integrated farm despite the small size of the farm, thanked the workaholic Managing Director for the innovation, remarking that he deserved a national honour over the laudable and visible strides, adding that the farm is well integrated to encompass various units in agriculture sector such as fishing, live stocking, crops planting among others.
He pledged that his ministry shall invest heavily in school farming projects as a measure to encourage youths’ involvement in agricultural activities and ignite in them the interest to study agricultural courses to even masters level.
Commissioner for Agriculture and Irrigation Development assured them of His Excellency, Prince Bassey Edet Otu clear mandate of prioritising agriculture as the main source of growing the state’s GDP.
The programme which was the 2nd edition since its inception is developed to primarily provide practical baseline knowledge for students studying agricultural sciences in various tertiary institutions across the state and country by extension, to specialize in their courses of study.
Giving further explanations about the programme, The Managing Director of Cross River Basin Development, Calabar Engr. Bassey Edem Nkposong elucidated that, apart from the programme serving as a practical centre for all agriculturists, it is also targeted at getting youths off the street to engage in meaningful Agribusinesses, which will drastically reduce restiveness and insecurity among youths, reduce the unemployment rate of the country to minimum level among youths and spur up social infrastructure in catchment areas where these programmes are been implemented.
Engr. Nkposong announced a one-year facilitation of land and farm inputs to the graduate trainees as a starter pack for their agribusinesses.
Speaking on behalf of The graduate trainees who specialized in various agricultural value chain areas such as mushroom production, fishery, livestock farming, and irrigation technology among others, Eneobong Bassey Eneobong thanked the Management for building their capacities and promised to put the knowledge into use by venturing fully into Agribusiness to improve their lives.
He appealed to the Management of Cross River Basin Development and the State Government to support them in establishing and sustainably managing agribusiness of their choice.
Similarly, the occasion was also graced by the Cross River State Commissioner for Land, Chief Francis Ekpenyong, who assured of government support in terms of the provision of land for Agricultural Development in the state.
Commissioner Ebokpo was accompanied by the Director of, Agric Engineering department, Engr. Mrs. Justina Ulafor and the Head of the Technical team, Mr. Dennis Ikpali to grace the event.
