ISOPADEC Trains 142 Youths, Distributes Agric Start-up Pacts In Imo Oil Producing Areas
The Imo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (ISOPADEC), on Wednesday, successfully trained 142 selected youths from the oil producing areas of Imo State and presented them with agric start-up packs at the ISOPADEC Secretariat in Owerri, to begin their own enterprise.
The program, themed “From Soil to Sales – A Climate Smart Initiative,” is part of ISOPADEC’s renewed drive to build capacity and create wealth for youths beyond oil and government jobs.
Speaking on the occasion, the Managing Director of ISOPADEC, Hon. Chief Austin Onyedebelu, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Public Relations, Hon. Chidi Orjiaku, said the Commission is deliberate about human capital development.
In his words: “Modern agriculture has gone beyond farming. It is now about planning, support, sustainability and profitability. We are training our youths to see agriculture as a business — from production, to processing, packaging, marketing and sales.”
The MD charged the participants to take the training seriously and leverage the support of the 3R Government of His Excellency, Senator Hope Uzodimma, to become self-reliant and employers of labour.
“Our goal
is simple: From Training to Enterprise, and From Enterprise to Prosperity. Learn. Produce. Process. Package. Market. Sell. Grow. That is the journey from soil to sales,” he stated.
Earlier in a goodwill message, Hon. Joseph Oputa, Special Adviser to the Governor on ISOPADEC Matters, commended the Commission for the initiative and urged the beneficiaries to be good ambassadors of the program.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Agriculture in ISOPADEC, Hon. Chief Val Okere, encouraged the beneficiaries to maximize the opportunity, noting that climate-smart agriculture is the surest way to survive and thrive in today’s economy.
The training featured seasoned facilitators from the academia and successful farmers like Hon. Luke Chukwu. Participants were taught practical areas including Bag Farming, Onion Production, Mushroom Cultivation and Bell Pepper Production — all high-value and climate-resilient ventures.
The highpoint of the event was the presentation of start-up kits to all 142 participants to enable them to start immediately.
In a vote of thanks, Mr. Tagbo Adizua from Oguta LGA, speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, commended ISOPADEC and Governor Hope Uzodimma for the timely intervention.
“We are grateful for this training and for the start-up pacts. We promise to make judicious use of them and contribute to food security and job creation in our communities. We look forward to further trainings and assistance from ISOPADEC,” he said.
Present on the occasion were some distinguished Board Members of ISOPADEC led by the Board Chairman, Eze Prof. Dele Odigbo, alongside High Chief Val Okere, Hon. Bernard Nwanaña, Hon. Ihesie Nkeiruka, Hon. Prince Kelechi Onuoha and Hon. Casmir Cassidy Ohamara, whose presence added color, dignity and institutional backing to the program.
With this initiative, ISOPADEC reaffirms its commitment to transforming oil producing communities by building people, not just infrastructure.