WAPA trains 150 women on aquaculture

The Lagos State Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA) has commenced catfish production training programme for 150 women.

The programme is in collaboration with GIZ-Skills Development for Youth Empowerment (SKYE) and the Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research (NIOMR).

During the opening ceremony at the Skills Acquisition Centre in Ikorodu on Tuesday, Mrs Oluyemi Kalesanwo, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, said the 10-day training would hold simultaneously in Epe, Badagry and Ikorodu.

Kalesanwo who was represented by Mrs. Yetunde Adeniji, said the training was the Second phase of the programmes organised to engage women in the state in vocations that would enhance their financial capabilities.

She said that aquaculture played vital roles in building the economy, noting that catfish farming was one of the lucrative ventures in fishery.

The Permanent Secretary said: “ This programme will enhance the productivity and profitability of catfish farming, with a focus on empowering women and drastically reducing poverty.

”The 10-day programme is expected to equip participants with the necessary skills and knowledge, by providing access to training, information, and resources, to increase productivity.

”The first phase of this training was a huge success, where women, men and youths in Agege, Mushin and Lagos Island Local Governments benefited from the programme, some of whom now contribute to the welfare of their families.”

Kalesanwo urged the beneficiaries to continue to sharpen their skills in aquaculture to further enlarge their capacity.

Our correspondent reports that beneficiaries of the training will receive certificates and start up packs.

Some items on the packs include plastic fish tanks, fish feeds, weighing scale, a scoop net, Plastic basket, plastic basin and pieces of juvenile cat fish.