By Adewale Adeyanju (INN Lagos)
The Deaf community and other Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) clusters have been assured of Government support to engage in Agribusiness.
The welcome assurance was made by representatives of the Honourable Commissioners, Lagos State Ministries of Agriculture and Cooperatives and her counterpart in the Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment at the launching and dedication of Catfish ponds – an initiative of Isado Omo Ajai Ventures. The said company is wholly owned by a deaf businessman – Mr. Emmanuel Isado, a retiree of Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc Apapa, Lagos.
Speaking at the opening ceremony and launching of the Catfish ponds, the Director of Fisheries , Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Mr. Uthman Olalekan said many incentives have been put in place to ensure farmers access support. He enjoined persons with disabilities to form cooperatives, register with government and apply for some of these incentives.
Mr Olalekan, listing requisites for catfish productions included lands for construction of the ponds, tanks for water, pumping machine, fingerling and fish feeds etc, he stated that his Ministry give training and incentives to applicants seeking to become Catfish farmers and the deaf community should be able to access the service by applying
According to him, “There are a wide range of Agricultural incentives that are available for individual farmers, however it is best if you form cooperative bodies that can jointly apply for these incentives as some of the equipment and tools are very expensive.
“The current administration of Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu is determined to provide food security and employment for as many as may desire to venture into Agribusiness”, Olalekan reiterated
In same vein, representative of the Honourable Commissioner, Lagos State Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment – Mr. Anthony Ogbodu emphatically stated that the ministry has always been supportive of initiatives like these by Catfish ponds constructed by Isado Omo Ajai Ventures. He reiterated the fact that his ministry has done a lot via training and support for artisans and businessmen.
He said inter alia: “The Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment is committed to training artisans in different vocations and also helping equip them with tools and funds in order to fast track their full integration into employment. The Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) is being administered to ensure that those setting up business can access support and I enjoined Persons with Disabilities to apply for this training and grants”.
During the tour of the Catfish ponds located within the expansive Jakande Estate, Amuwo-Odofin Mile 2, Lagos State, observations were made as to how to improve and expand the Catfish ponds while Mr. Emmanuel Isado explain the set-up and challenges he faced to the representatives of the Commissioners.
Earlier in the day, in his address, the CEO Isado Omo Ajai Ventures – Mr. Emmanuel Ajayi, stated that he decided to go into Agribusiness because he aimed to “correct the wrong impressions of people that, the Deaf are very lazy, not creative, indolent and idle”.
He stated that after he retired from his job, he has acquired various training in Agribusiness and his first major business is Catfish while he hopes to delve into other Agribusiness including Poultry, snail farming etc.
Ajayi, calling for support from the government reminded them that deaf people are capable of doing Agribusiness if there is motivation and encouragement.