Earlyface

The Centre for Entrepreneurship
Development (CEDAP) at the Federal
University of Technology Akure (FUTA) has
commenced the training of Cocoa Pruners
for Ondo State government to enhance
modern skills of cocoa pruning.
Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof.
Adebiyi Daramola who spoke during the flag
off of the programme said,participants
should give the training all attention
because of its importance.
Represented by the Deputy Vice-chancellor,
on Development, Prof. Tolulope Akinbogun,
said cocoa production has been the main
source of revenue generation for the
Nigerian economy most especially in the
South West but has been abandoned for oil.
He urged participants at the training to
utilise the opportunity to achieve modern
ways of getting best results from their
Cocoa produce.
Akinbogun, who also said FUTA is well
positioned to carry out the training because
of its abundant experts in agriculture
promised that the University would continue
to ensure it adds value to its immediate
environment and the society at large.
In his address of welcome, the Director of
CEDAP in FUTA, Dr. Ayo Olajuyigbe
appreciated the effort of the Ondo State
government in revamping Cocoa production
in the state through the inauguration of the
Cocoa implementation committee otherwise
called Cocoa Revolution Project.
According to him, the effort has led to the
need to train the first batch of 20 trainees
who are to become Master Pruners.
While commending Governor Mimiko for his
government’s effort in turning raw Cocoa
into chocolate for local and international
consumption,Olajuyigbe   called on the State
government and other neighbouring states
to leverage on some of the research output
from FUTA so as to develop their citizens
and build in them entrepreneurial skills.
"FUTA has come to stand distinctly in the
commit of universities in Nigeria, Africa and
the world.  There are lots of potentials in
FUTA that should be emulated” he said.
Oyebade commended FUTA’s CEDAP for
partnering with the state government to
train the first set of pruners and noted that
the training will enhance the skill of the
cocoa farmers in Ondo state to further
showcase the products to the world.
"there are always modern ways of doing
things to achieve the best result.  If you do
not know these modern ways, it will affect
your output.  See this opportunity as one of
the best. Utilize it well so that you can train
others”.
The Master Pruners will eventually replicate
the knowledge gained among peasant
farmers across 18 local government areas of
the state, he said.
In his words, the Chairman of the Ondo
State Cocoa Implementation Committee, Dr.
Jibayo Oyebade expressed his delight in the
operations of the institution