The Ondo State Government has launched the ‘Eja Irorun’ Initiative, a fish farming empowerment programme aimed at creating jobs, promoting aquaculture and building sustainable livelihoods for residents, particularly young people.

The initiative is expected to equip 1,000 participants with practical skills in fish production, processing, packaging and marketing.

It is also designed to encourage self-reliance, wealth creation and greater participation in the aquaculture value chain.

Speaking at the official launch, Chairman of the Ondo State Agric and Agribusiness Empowerment Centre, Hon. Rotimi Wemimo Akinsola, said the programme was a strategic intervention to unlock the economic potential of the aquaculture sector.

Akinsola said the initiative would provide participants with the technical expertise and business knowledge required to establish viable fish farming enterprises.

He urged the beneficiaries to remain committed throughout the four-month training programme and make effective use of the opportunities provided.

According to him, the ultimate objective is to transform participants from trainees into successful entrepreneurs capable of contributing meaningfully to the state’s economy.

The Chairman said the programme goes beyond skills acquisition, as it is designed to stimulate economic activities across the fish farming value chain.

He said the initiative would also support food security, job creation and sustainable development in Ondo State.

The four-month intensive training will expose participants to the various stages of aquaculture development, including fish production, processing, packaging and marketing.

The curriculum combines practical training with business education, enabling beneficiaries to understand both the technical and commercial aspects of fish farming.

Through the programme, participants are expected to acquire the capacity to establish and manage sustainable fish farming enterprises, explore opportunities in the aquaculture value chain and create employment for others.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Director of Programmes, Mr. Bunmi Alade, said the initiative was important in developing human capacity and expanding economic opportunities in the fisheries and aquaculture subsectors.

Alade said equipping residents with relevant skills and practical knowledge was essential to building a productive agricultural workforce.
He expressed optimism that the programme would contribute to participants’ economic independence while strengthening the state’s capacity for increased fish production and value addition.

The Eja Irorun Initiative is another step by the Ondo State Government to harness the potential of agriculture as a pathway to economic diversification and inclusive development.

With growing opportunities in fish farming, processing, distribution and marketing, the programme is expected to improve local production capacity and contribute to the development of a stronger agricultural economy.

The initiative also reflects the government’s commitment to investing in people, promoting enterprise development and creating an enabling environment where residents can acquire productive skills, build sustainable livelihoods and contribute to the economic prosperity of Ondo State.