ECOWAS: We’re Committed to Helping Sub-region Attain Food Security

David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka

The Economic Community of West Africa (ECOWAS) has expressed its commitment to helping the West Africa sub-region attain food security.

The Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture, ECOWAS Commission, Mrs. Massandje Toure-Litse, stated this yesterday during a convocation ceremony organised for 150 Anambra State youths, trained by the ECOWAS Commission on table fish production business.

Toure-Litse, who was at the convocation in the Anambra State Polytechnic, Mgbakwu, where the youths were trained, told the trainees that by agreeing to join in the training, they have committed to being a part of the team to help the West African sub-region attain food security.

She said: “I celebrate a significant moment like this. We are today handing out certificates to young trainees in table fish production business. This is one of the four centres in Nigeria, and ECOWAS granted subsidies for this training.

“Your presence today shows your desire to contribute to food security in Nigeria and the region. It is the dream of ECOWAS to champion food security in the region, and fish is a major component of our food value chain.

“His Excellency, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, the president of ECOWAS Commission, has a strategy for his four years mandate, and we have promoted good governance and food security as part of that strategy.

“It is our belief that this training will create sustainable jobs for youths and also enhance food security in the region.”

The training, which was sponsored by the ECOWAS Commission, was in collaboration with the Anambra State Government, and was facilitated by Fisheries and Acquaculture Business Development Agency (FABDA), an agency of the Anambra State Government.

The state Deputy Governor, Dr. Onyekachi Ibezim, who was also at the convocation, said the state government is intentional about its economic revolution and trainings for youths.

He said: “We thank ECOWAS for this training, and we believe that the pioneer trainees will be the millionaires produced from fish farming. We have mapped out funds to empower these trainees.

“We urge the trainees to approach the Anambra State Small Business Agency (ASBA). The assurance the government of Governor Charles Soludo is giving to enterprising youths in the state is that it is committed to ensuring that they are empowered with trainings and seed fund to ensure their prosperity.”