From Aniekan Aniekan, Calabar
Oil Giants ,TotalEnergies and its senior partner the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited have trained 20 youths in Cross River State on agro business.
Besides TotalEnergies and NNPC, other partners in the training include SAPETRO, CNOOC and PRIME 130.
The beneficiaries were selected across the state and underwent a six weeks training on post harvest management of agricultural produce from primary production to processing and marketing.
The training aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals on poverty, zero hunger and decent work/ economic growth.
Speaking in Calabar during the graduation ceremony for the trainees, Mike Sangster, the Country Chair/Managing Director, TotalEnergies Upstream Nigeria Limited said the training is aimed at helping trainees add value to the agricultural value chain.
The Country Chair who spoke through Lolade Temitope Ogungbe, the CSR Officer said the trainees underwent a six weeks training and have been empowered with a starter pack.
“TotalEnergies launched the agro business support programme to help beneficiaries learn how to add value to the agricultural value chain through processing, packaging and distribution farm produce in order to reduce losses and wastages caused by the paucity of reliable means of preservation.
“The beneficiaries undergo six weeks of training in business of processing and distribution of farm produce after which they are empowered with starter packs to help them launch their businesses quickly.
“Today’s graduating beneficiaries have acquired the knowledge necessary to properly package their goods , marketing, book keeping, maintaining stock records and fund administration”, he said.
He said they are confident the programme is indeed a step in the right direction as they continue their commitment to address the challenge of unemployment and poverty in the society.
He equally charged the graduating students make the most of this opportunity and continue to grow and contribute to the learning and development of other people who they may engage in their business ventures.
Also speaking, Bala Wunti, the Chief Upstream Investment Officer Nigeria Upstream Investment Management Services, NUIMS, ( a subsidiary of the NNPC) thanked all the partners for the training programme.
Wunti who spoke through Anthony Francis, the Community Relations Officer NUIMS implored the beneficiaries to take advantage of the training and further develop themselves.
Precious Eta, one of the beneficiaries said the experience is wonderful and they learnt a lot.
She said the training included sustainable agriculture, entrepreneurship, how to expand your business as well as how to deploy ICT in agro businesses.
Also speaking, Onyama Phila said they have learnt a lot of things and were mostly trained to become a self-entrepreneur.
She added that “the training is a stepping stone in my life and I’m grateful to TotalEnergies and it’s partners for the opportunity.
“I didn’t plan to get this training and equipments but I’m getting it on a platter of gold”, she said.
The graduating students received a starter pack, certificate as well as a company registered in their names so they can start business.