Hon. Toby Okechukwu, the Deputy Minority Leader and member representing Aninri, Awgu and Oji-River Federal Constituency strikes again as he empowers Enugu Youths in a two days program titled ‘The Front End Activities in Fish Value Chain Aquaculture Training in Communities in Enugu state’.

The program which was primarily focused on Fish Rearing/Farming and Production was held at Awgu Civic center, Ugbonabor in conjunction with The Federal College of Fisheries and Marine Technology, Victoria Island, Lagos Facilitated by Hon. Toby Okechukwu started on the 14th of December and ended on the 15th of December.

Hon. Toby Okechukwu who is known for his philanthropic nature had earlier before now paid WAEC fees of over six hundred students in his constituency, empowered over 150 women and youths on hospitality management in his constituency, sponsored learning tour to Innoson, NTA, SEDI and airport for over 60 public secondary schools in his constituency.

In a previous interview with Okechukwu who had in the previous year also taught youths on aquaculture, had explained that his committed philanthropy towards his people is to alleviate them from poverty saying, “instead of giving them fish i want to teach them how to make fish. i want them to be self dependent and to also help them employ others too. When you have so many unemployed people in a particular locality crime becomes the order of the day. So when you keep them busy they won’t have time for all these crimes”.

In an exclusive interview with UGAMATV, Dr. Kalu Eleuzo, a trainer from The Federal College of Fishery and Marine Technology, Lagos said that their aim is to teach Youths The Importance of Aquaculture Value Chain which is met to Alleviate Poverty and Provide Food for the citizenry.

“Federal Government has been partnering with the institute over the years to train unemployed youths and Others on how to produce fish feed, process fish and all the Aquaculture Value Chain because of Food insecurity, Food shortage, etc which is a medium to engage the youths productively so he can have food in the future, not just now.

“Fish rearing is a way to empower them to Set Up their own fish farm, get employed and also provide employment for others in so doing provide food for the citizens and add to the National GDP”, Kalu said.

Hon. Toby Okechukwu who was regrettably absent from the program was represented by Dr. Godwin Ikechukwu Udeuhere said that the training was centered on the youths from Aninri, Awgu, and Oji River Local government because of the Social ills in the country which is attributed to unemployment.

Addressing UGAMATV, he said “Fish Rearing is a means of carving out employment and to skillfully keep them engaged which is why we are giving them start up materials which are necessary for them to start off immediately with practicing what they have learned so far.

Praising Okechukwu for his serial philanthropy, Godwin said “Hon. Toby Okechukwu is a politician with a difference who understands the problem of the country. This training is a way to encourage the youth to go into Job creation and not Job seekers and we have educated them enough.

Interviewing some of the beneficiaries from the training, Mr. Solomon Onyebuchi ojoukwu.from Mmaku in Awgu said that he is happy to be one of the participants of the program saying “I learnt a lot and I can confidently say that the possibility of the fish farming working in my hands because of the expository teaching. Now I can equally teach someone how to rear fish, Hatch Fish and Take care of a Fish Pond and he is ready to start his own”.

Another Participant, Mr. Kenneth Afamefula Aniobasi from Nenwe expressed his gladness over the program saying “I have received my start up material immediately after the training which includes the cash stipend, the fingerlings, the fish feed and the fish pond”.

Thanking Hon. Toby Okechukwu for the training and the start Up Package that was given to them immediately after the training, Mr. Ozoemena Collins a participant in the program promised to utilize all he had learned and become productive with it.