By Ayobami Ife, Abeokuta
The Ogun – Oshun River Basin Development Authorities(O-ORBDA) on Wednesday empowered 37 young Nigerians with N18.5m start – up capital to pursue agric business and charged them to contribute meaningfully to the country’s march towards self-sufficiency in food production.
The 37 passed through a six – month practical training under the tutelage of the O-ORBDA in three critical areas of agribusiness that formed the backbone of the nation’s food security strategy namely: poultry production, arable crop production and fishery development. 
•37 participants of the cohort 2024 on Wednesday.
One of the participants, Isioma Eugina Iweriebor, who showed interest in Fishery said the training gave her the opportunity to learn on the job.
The 24 – year – old product of Mountain Top University, Ogun State, added that it was also meant to prepare them for tomorrow’s role as big players in the country’s agric business sector.
She said, “I want to be a catfish farmer. It is something that I like. It get a good start – up at a good location, it is something that is beneficial and lucrative. Of course it will also create employment opportunities for others. I can’t handle everything alone.
“It is a feasible business. People eat catfish, it is edible. A lot of people eat it. They sell it in the market, they sell it restaurant and people use it everyday. People even use it for bride price in some places and get commended for it.”
Giving his keynote address during the graduation ceremony of the 2024 cohort under the Graduate Youth Empowerment Programme(GYEP), the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of O-ORBDA, Dr. Adedeji Ashiru, said that no fewer than 208 Nigerians had received training in agric business from the agency since 2016.
Ashiru commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his visionary leadership which had made the GYEP a sustainable project for O-ORBDA, even as he also lauded him for his commitment to ensuring annual budgetary provisions for the programme sustainability and success.
He urged the beneficiaries – 19 male and 18 female participants respectively to see the N500, 000:00k start – up capital gifted to each of them as an investment in Nigeria’s future and a seed that must be planted wisely to yield abundant harvest.
He said, “In accordance with the Graduate Youth Empowerment Programme (GYEP) Operational Guidelines, and as a demonstration of our unwavering commitment to the success of our graduates, the Management of the Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority has approved the allocation of ₦500,000.00 (Five Hundred Thousand Naira) as startup capital for each of our 37 graduating participants.
“This substantial investment of ₦18,500,000.00 (Eighteen Million, Five Hundred Thousand Naira) represents more than financial support—it embodies our faith in your potential and our commitment to your success. This startup capital is strategically designed to enable you, our dear graduates, to form cluster groups within your respective areas of specialization.
“To our graduating participants, I wish to emphasize the sacred responsibility that comes with this empowerment. The ₦500,000.00 you are receiving today is not merely a grant—it is an investment in Nigeria’s future, a seed that must be planted wisely to yield abundant harvest. Your mission extends beyond personal success to national impact:
“Promote sustainable agribusiness and adopt environmentally friendly practices that ensure long-term productivity. Contribute to Food Security – Help Nigeria achieve self-sufficiency in food production and
as your businesses grow, provide opportunities for other young Nigerians, model excellence and demonstrate that with proper support, Nigerian youth can compete globally.”
•Cover picture: Isioma Iweriebor and Dr. Adedeji Ashiru
