The Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology (FCAHPT), Ibadan, has established its own entrepreneurship development centre in accordance with Federal Ministry of Agriculture’s directive to improve livestock production.
The FCAHPT Provost, Dr. Adekoya Owosibo, disclosed this on Tuesday during the college’s convocation ceremony for the Award of National Diploma and Higher National Diploma.
According to Owosibo, the centre will help to increase internal revenue generation capacity of the college.
He said that the centre would also serve as a practical training ground for students to complement classroom teaching, with entrepreneurial skill development in various aspects of livestock production.
The provost said that the centre was aimed at introducing modern techniques in various aspects of livestock production to unemployed youths, intending small scale farmers and practising farmers.
He said that the college had produced over 6,000 graduates, who were either self-employed or absorbed by government agencies.
“A school of two-building structure has developed to a college of over 30 buildings.
“A school of less than 45 staff has developed to a college with over 600 staff; the nomenclature of the college’s academic staff was changed from tutor to lectureship cadre.
“An electro ejaculator functioning well was constructed by one of the technologists in the college while many other technological breakthroughs are available on exhibition stands.
“We collaborated with the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture and Federal Department of Agriculture,” he said.
The provost said that through the collaboration, the college received smoking kilns, plantain processing equipment, 5 3HP water pump and cassava chipping machine, among other equipment.
The Minister of Agriculture, Dr Muhammad Abubakar, said at the occasion that the graduands should strive to become employers of labour instead of seeking white collar jobs.
Represented by the ministry’s South-West Regional Director, Mrs. Omolara Oguntuyi, Abubakar advised them to be good ambassadors of the school, their parents and Nigeria at large.
“If you are looking for quick money, your end is destruction but if you work with your hands, the sky will be your starting point,” he said.
Prof. Garba Sharubutu, Executive Secretary, Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN), urged the college to intensify academics to provide opportunities for more Nigerians to access agricultural education.
Sharubutu was represented by his Technical Adviser, Dr. Gabriel Malomo.
He said that the council proposed establishment of agricultural entrepreneurship centres in all Federal Colleges of Agriculture under its purview.
“In view of the good work of the college, FCAHPT is one of the 10 institutions scheduled to benefit from distribution of extension communication facilities in 2021,” he said.
The Chairman of FCAHPT Governing Board, Prof. Vincent Odigie, said that the college produced graduates in diverse vocations at National Diploma or Higher National Diploma level.
Odigie, represented by one of the board members, Mrs. Yemisi Adewole, advised the graduands to use the knowledge and skills they acquired to become business owners.
“Interestingly, all the courses offered in the college are self-sustaining; you can stand on your own and be employers of labour in the nearest future,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the college graduated no fewer than 3,650 students at the event. (NAN)
