follow and like on:
By Doris Esa
The government has trained and empowered its retired officers in the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, on entrepreneurship skills development and agro- allied enterprises.
Dr Marcus Ogunbiyi, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, stated this at the 5th Edition of the Entrepreneurship Skills Development on Agro Allied Enterprises in Abuja.
The training and empowerment programme was for officers who retired from the ministry in 2024.
Ogunbiyi congratulated the retirees on the successful completion of their years of dedicated service to the ministry and the country.
“The training programme is both a recognition and celebration of your service and investment in your continued productivity and relevance beyond public service,” he said.
He said the event fully aligned with the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan of 2021- 2025.
“It provides a clear policy direction on enhancing staff welfare, capacity development and post-service support.
“One of its key pillars emphasises Improving the Value Proposition of Civil Servants by ensuring that officers are adequately prepared for retirement and equipped with sustainable livelihood skills,” he said.
Ogunbiyi said that agriculture today offers boundless opportunities with the growing demand for food and agricultural products.
“These enterprises are not only profitable but also capable of creating jobs and supporting livelihood within our communities.
“By engaging in agribusiness, our retirees can continue to contribute meaningfully to national development, while securing sustainable income and financial independence.
“Through this initiative, the ministry seeks to demonstrate its commitment to the welfare and empowerment of its workplace both during, after active service, and after retirement.
“We want our staff to see agriculture as not only a responsibility of government but also a viable business opportunity that aligns with Federal Government’s agenda for food security, economic diversification and poverty reduction,” he said.
Ogunbiyi said the focus of the 5th edition of the programme on viable enterprises in key areas of poultry, fishery, vegetable, potato farming and processing was strategic and relevant.
Earlier, Mr Udo Effik, the Director, Reform Coordination, Service Improvement and Innovation, said the initiative was apt.
He said the initiative is in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Initiative of ensuring food sovereignty, employment generation, wealth creation and inclusivity.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that starter kits in poultry, fishery, vegetable and potato were presented to the retirees. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Joseph Edeh
follow and like on:
