Towards encouraging entrepreneurship, the Ogun State Government has assured of its continued effort to implement reforms geared towards creating conducive business environment to encourage private sector investments, thereby providing more job opportunities for the youths.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Olu. Ola. Aikulola gave the assurance in Abeokuta, at a graduation for 200 beneficiaries in fish farming, saying the training was organised to enable the beneficiaries start-up small-scale fish farming businesses for improved self-reliance and gainful employment.

Represented by the Ministry's Director of Industrial Promotions, Engr. Kehinde Akintomide, Aikulola noted that the beneficiaries were trained under the GIZ's Skills Development for Youth Employment (SKYE) programme with Aquatic Hub Afrique Network (AHAN), as the implementing partner.

                He pointed out that the capacity building was designed to empower beneficiaries with requisite skills in the business and help address the increasing demand for fish in the country.

According to him, "Ogun State Government in collaboration with its worthy partner, German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) is committed to improving skills and building capacities of target beneficiaries to improve the business enabling environment in the State".

Aikulola who also made a presentation on ‘Developing and Succeeding, a Mindset for Entrepreneurship’ advised the graduands to develop a mindset for entrepreneurship, saying they need to understand what motivates them, positively change their habits, develop the right attitude, believe in themselves and break away from norms.

Also speaking, the Programmes and Learning Manager, Aquatic Hub Afrique Network (AHAN), Mr. Olalekan Adeleke, noted that the training was a combination of classroom and practical sessions in demonstration farms, calling on the beneficiaries to start in a small form and contribute their quota to meet increasing local demand for fish, to further aid efforts on food security.

Some of the beneficiaries, Ebenezer Adeosun and Adedoyin Dahunsi in their responses said the training was impactful and had prepared them for the business.