FG Trains Retired Agric Workers In Agribusiness, Hands Out Starter Kits For Post-Service Ventures
By SANI BATURE
THE Federal Government has trained and empowered its retired officers from the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security with practical entrepreneurship and agribusiness skills, preparing them for productive ventures after public service.
The initiative, held during the 5th Edition of the Entrepreneurship Skills Development on Agro-Allied Enterprises on Thursday in Abuja, focused on key agricultural value chains including poultry, fishery, vegetable, and potato farming.
Supporting Life After Service
Speaking at the event, Dr. Marcus Ogunbiyi, Permanent Secretary of the ministry, congratulated the 2024 retirees for their years of dedicated service, describing the training as both “a celebration and an investment in their continued productivity and relevance.”
According to him, the programme aligns with the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (2021–2025), which prioritises staff welfare, continuous capacity building, and post-service empowerment.
“One of the core pillars of the plan emphasises improving the value proposition of civil servants by ensuring that officers are adequately prepared for retirement and equipped with sustainable livelihood skills,” he said.
Agriculture as a Lifelong Opportunity
Dr. Ogunbiyi noted that agriculture remains a key driver of national development, offering boundless opportunities for wealth creation, job generation, and food security.
“By engaging in agribusiness, our retirees can continue to contribute meaningfully to the economy while ensuring financial independence and sustainable income,” he said.
He added that the initiative reflects the ministry’s commitment to the welfare of its workforce — during active service and beyond — while encouraging retirees to view agriculture not just as government policy, but as a viable personal enterprise aligned with the Federal Government’s food security and poverty reduction agenda.
Empowerment Through Practical Skills
Earlier, Mr. Udo Effik, Director of Reform Coordination, Service Improvement, and Innovation, commended the initiative as timely and consistent with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which promotes food sovereignty, job creation, and inclusive economic growth.
At the close of the programme, each retiree received starter kits tailored to their chosen enterprise — poultry, fishery, vegetable, or potato production — to help them kick-start their post-retirement agribusiness journey.
