The Federal Government, through the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF), has commenced the training of selected Civil Servants for the 2nd batch of the Agriprenuership Start-up Scheme for 2023.
The Scheme is in line with the present administration’s priority on Inclusivity: Drawing on all skill bases and Pillar 6 of the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation plan (FCSSIP25), which is aimed at enhancing the value proposition of Civil Servants.
The programme was declared open by the Permanent Secretary, Service Welfare Office, SWO-OHCSF, Mr. Mahmud Adam Kambari, on Monday, November 20, 2023, in Abuja.
Mr. Kambari, stated that the Scheme is aimed at providing opportunity for serving Civil Servants to enjoy multiple streams of income through agriculture and its value chain, as permitted by the Constitution and the revised Public Service Rules (PSR), while also preparing prospective retirees for life after Service.
‘The programme is not merely a venture; it is a testament to our belief in the potential that lies within each individual regardless of their professional background,” he added. This was contained in a statement signed by M. A Ahmed, Director, Communications.
The Permanent Secretary also noted that Agrepreneurship opens doors to new opportunities, harnessing the untapped potential in agriculture and entrepreneurship sectors that are vital for sustainable development and economic growth.
He stated further that, four (4) Ministries, extra-ministerial Departments and Agencies (MDAs), namely the OHCSF, Federal Ministries of Health, Aviation and, Aerospace and the State House, with about Ninety-Eight (98) trainees are presently participating in the programme.
The Permanent Secretary, SWO thanked the key stakeholders and partners which include; the Public Service Institute of Nigeria (PSIN), Bank of Agriculture (BOA) and selected farmers for their invaluable contributions towards the actualisation of the Programme.
Earlier, the Administrator, Public Service Institute of Nigeria (PSIN), Dr. AbdulGaniyu Obatoyinbo in his goodwill message, noted that an entrepreneurship and commercial orientation is a must have for all Civil Servants. He also said that holding on to a skill or vocation is an avenue for creating wealth. ”If you cannot create wealth, you will be poor,”he opined.
Representative of the participants, Mr. John Esabu, said there is no longer fear in retirement as the scheme will enable retirees cope with life after service, and boost their lifestyles as well as wellbeing.
The theoretical component of the training, which will run from 20th to 24th November, 2023, is being handled by PSIN, the Hands-on practical Training will hold at selected farms from 27th November to 8th December, 2023, while the Bank of Agriculture, will provide loans to beneficiaries of the scheme at the end of the training.
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