In a significant stride towards agricultural empowerment and youth development, ZAL Farms, an initiative of ZAL Group, has successfully graduated fifty students from Niger Delta University (NDU) in innovative farm production techniques. The ceremony, held in Yenagoa, marked the culmination of a six-month intensive training program designed to equip students with practical skills and resources for successful agricultural ventures.
The graduates, who participated in the Agro-YIELD program, received training in a range of modern agricultural techniques, including soil-less and open farming, animal husbandry, and innovative agriculture. Speakers at the event lauded ZAL Farms for bridging the agricultural gap and tasked the trainees to apply the knowledge gained to drive the sector forward.
Mr. Ayibakuro Zigha, Chief Executive Officer of ZAL Farms Limited, highlighted the partnership with NDU, Wilberforce Island, emphasizing its role in making students self-reliant and contributing to the development of the agricultural sector. Zigha described agriculture as a viable path to diversifying the state’s economy from its traditional dependence on oil revenue. In a move that underscores the company’s commitment to youth empowerment, Zigha announced automatic employment for any of the trainees willing to work with the company.
Retired Colonel Benard Kenebai, representing Sagbama Constituency two in the State House of Assembly, aligned the program with the state government’s ASSURED agenda, which prioritizes food sufficiency. Kenebai noted that equipping the people with diverse skills would not only foster self-reliance but also create employment opportunities.
Professor Prince Ebiowei Kainga, Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture at NDU, appreciated ZAL Farms for the intensive training and encouraged the participants to engage in large-scale farming. He called for more partnerships like this to enhance the well-being of the trainees and the broader community.
Pastor Daddy-Ken Bitere, General Overseer of the Refined People’s Assembly, urged the graduates to leverage the capacity-building opportunity to become self-reliant and employers of labor. He encouraged them not to despise the days of humble beginnings, emphasizing the potential for growth and impact.
Miss Grace Ukpevie-Francis, the trainer, noted that the program equipped participants with operational skills to establish their own businesses. She urged them to put into practice the knowledge they had acquired.
One of the graduates, Mr. Selekeowei Bright Pamowei, expressed joy over the opportunity to gain practical skills in soilless farming and greenhouse setup. He thanked the management of ZAL Farms for empowering students with innovative skills needed for the sector.
The event featured a tour of the farm, the presentation of gifts to the graduates, and the cutting of a birthday cake in honor of the CEO, Mr. Ayibakuro Zigha. This graduation ceremony is more than just a milestone for the fifty trainees; it represents a significant step towards agricultural modernization and youth empowerment in the Niger Delta region. By equipping young people with the skills and resources needed to succeed in agriculture, ZAL Farms is not only contributing to food security but also fostering economic diversification and job creation. The initiative serves as a model for how public-private partnerships can drive sustainable development and innovation in the agricultural sector.
