Bauchi: The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) Centre of Excellence for Integrated Farming System has conducted a training program for 50 youths and women in Bauchi State, focusing on broiler chicken production. Dr. Abdullahi Muhammad, Director of the TETFund Centre of Excellence at Federal Polytechnic Bauchi, announced this during the inauguration of the five-day training exercise.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the training is designed to equip participants with skills in poultry production to help them navigate current economic conditions. Dr. Muhammad also mentioned plans to expand the training to include youths and women across the northeast region, aiming to transform job seekers into employers.
Dr. Muhammad emphasized the quick returns from broiler chicken production, as participants can see investment returns within eight weeks. He urged participants to leverage this opportunity for sustainable livelihoods. Mr. Shamsu Abdu, Head of the Mass Communication Department, praised the initiative as part of the institution's Corporate Social Responsibility, highlighting its role in community support.
Mr. Audu, commenting on the initiative, noted the importance of youth empowerment, especially given the scarcity of government jobs. He expressed confidence that participants would gain both practical and theoretical knowledge to become self-reliant.
Additionally, Dr. Musa Adamu, Coordinator of the World Bank-assisted Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project in Bauchi State, encouraged the youth to engage with the project. He outlined the project's focus on sheep, goat, beef, and dairy production, urging youths to take advantage of these opportunities.
Alhaji Sani Usman, the Rector, commended TETFund for establishing the training center and called for an expansion of the exercise to encourage broader participation.