Federal Ministry of Regional Development Flags Off Empowerment Program on Fish Farming for Women and Youths in Cross River State

Federal Ministry of Regional Development Flags Off Empowerment Program on Fish Farming for Women and Youths in Cross River State

Calabar, Cross River – March 26, 2025

The Federal Ministry of Regional Development has officially commenced a three-day empowerment training program on fish farming targeted at women and youths in Cross River State. The event took place at the Pyramid Hotel, Murtala Mohammed Highway, Calabar.

Representing the Honourable Minister, Engr. Abubakar Momoh, FNSE  at the flag-off ceremony was his media aide, Osigwe Omo-Ikirodah, who conveyed the Minister’s commitment to grassroots empowerment through sustainable agribusiness.

The initiative, sponsored by the Ministry and executed by MAC Gable Global Services, is part of a broader effort to empower grassroots communities through sustainable economic practices. Participants drawn from various communities across Cross River State are undergoing practical training in fish farming, a sector identified for its potential in job creation, food security, and wealth generation.

In his welcome address, Osigwe Omo-Ikirodah emphasized the Honourable Minister’s commitment to inclusive national development.

“This program is not just another training session,” he stated. “It is a deliberate step towards equipping you with practical skills in fish farming—an industry with vast potential for job creation, food security, and wealth generation.

He further reiterated that the training goes beyond skill acquisition, as participants will receive start-up capital to kickstart their aquaculture ventures.

“This is not a handout; it is a seed meant to grow,” he stressed. “Use this capital exactly for what it is intended—fish farming. Start small, but start right. Focus, be intentional, and reinvest your profits to scale up.”

The Honourable Minister extended his warmest regards to the participants, reaffirming the Ministry’s resolve to support enterprise development across the Niger Delta through infrastructure development, capacity-building, and follow-up support.

MAC Gable Global Services, the implementing partner, expressed readiness to deliver high-impact training that not only informs but transforms. The three-day session is packed with hands-on modules, group mentoring, and business scaling strategies to ensure long-term success for all beneficiaries.

As the program unfolds, participants are encouraged to engage fully, ask questions, and harness the opportunity to transform their futures through aquaculture.

This initiative underscores the Ministry’s vision for a prosperous and self-reliant Niger Delta, driven by empowered youths and women.