The Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Federal Department of Fisheries Services, in collaboration with the Kwara State Government, has distributed relief materials to the 2022 flood victims in some parts of the state.
Speaking during the distribution exercise, the Director, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, FMAFS, Kwara State Coordinating Office, Dr. Aliyu Kabir said the materials distributed were meant to cushion the hardship caused by the flood disaster in some parts of the state late last year.
The gesture, Dr. Kabir explained, would relaunch the beneficiaries back to business after the loss of their means of livelihood to the unfortunate incident.
He disclosed further “that the programme would no doubt rejuvenate the workforce by creating more job opportunities for the people in fisheries, value chain operation, improved income, and economic well-being of kwarans.”
In her brief remarks, the State Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mrs. Oloruntoyosi Thomas, who was represented by the Director of Fisheries Services, Alhaji Ganiyu Oba-Alao said “the state government would continue to prioritize the well-being of farmers in the sector through its various impactful programmes, which are of immense benefits to the most vulnerables especially those in the agricultural sector of the state.”
Items distributed include 7-feet canoes, smoking kilns, fishing nets, twines, leads, and floaters for 19 cluster groups from Asa, Moro, and Patigi Local Government Areas of the state.
Meanwhile, arrangements are in top gear to commemorate the 2023 World Fisheries Day.
According to a statement by the Publicity Secretary of the Association of Fish Farmers in Kwara State, AFFAK, Mr. Bashir Abdulrasaq Owolabi said the event, which is celebrated globally every 21st of November is to create awareness on the need to protect biodiversity existence of fisheries resources, mitigating illegal fishing practices, and ecosystem pollution control for sustainable management of inland/coastal water bodies.
Mr. Owolabi disclosed further that the programme is being organized by the Aquabashy Fisheries Foundation in partnership with Asa River Fishermen Association.
The theme of this year’s celebration,”Integrated Value Chain-Addition in Blue Economy: Aquaculture and Fisheries Approach“, is slated for Tuesday, 21st November, 2023, at Asa L.G.E.A Primary School Playing Ground, Laduba in Asa Local Government Area of the state.
Shakirat Sadiq
