The Institute of Entrepreneurship and Vocational Training, Bayelsa State, in partnership with the Transforming African Agricultural Universities to Meaningfully Contribute to Africa’s Growth and Development (TAGDev 2.0) Programme, University of Port Harcourt, with support from RUFORUM and the MasterCard Foundation, has launched a two-day intensive training for out-of-school youths on skills and wealth creation through rice and aquaculture value chains.
In his opening remarks, the Rector of the Institute, Dr. Zuobomudor Edwin Agbana, welcomed participants and described the training as “a gateway of opportunity for young people, particularly those outside formal education, to acquire practical, enterprise-driven skills.” He emphasized that agriculture represents “not just a means of survival but a pathway to prosperity.”
Dr. Agbana explained that through modules covering agronomic practices, integrated rice-fish systems, soil fertility management, and product development, participants would gain hands-on knowledge to establish wealth-building enterprises and add value across the rice production chain. He called on government, private sector actors, and development partners to sustain their support beyond the training, stressing that “collective effort is vital to building systems and structures that enable youth to grow into successful entrepreneurs.”
Delivering the keynote address, the TAGDev 2.0 Coordinator, University of Port Harcourt, Professor Ibisime Etela, reaffirmed the initiative’s commitment to inclusivity and equity, ensuring that women, displaced persons, and differently abled individuals are not left behind in the drive toward sustainable development. According to him, TAGDev 2.0 promotes gender-sensitive policies, mentorship programs for women in agriculture, and tailored learning opportunities for marginalized and displaced youth. He added that for differently-abled persons, the program emphasizes accessible training environments, adaptive learning tools, and equal participation in agribusiness innovation, “building an inclusive Africa where every individual can learn, lead, and contribute meaningfully to continental growth.”
In his goodwill message, the Honourable Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Bayelsa State, Professor Bekes Sese, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Hamilton Ekeke, noted that the TAGDev 2.0 programme aligns with the Bayelsa State Government’s ASSURED Prosperity Agenda, particularly its focus on agriculture and industrialization aimed at promoting food security, agribusiness expansion, and job creation. He urged participants to make the most of the opportunity, emphasizing that “the knowledge gained must translate into productivity and agro-based wealth creation for individual and collective benefit.”
The two-day training stands as a testament to Bayelsa’s growing commitment to youth empowerment, enterprise development, and agricultural transformation through strategic partnerships.