To develop and attract more entrepreneurs to the country, the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has trained at least 60 youths in the Southwest geopolitical zone in livestock farming, including poultry and fish farming.
The Chairman of FIRS, Mr Zaccheus Adedeji, who disclosed this, said the federal agency is bankrolling the training in partnership with JustSnails Africa to create jobs, alleviate poverty, eradicate hunger, boost livestock farming, and ensure food security through poultry and fish farming initiatives.
Speaking at the end of a two-day training for the youths in Ikere-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Adedeji, who Mrs Benedicta Akpana represented, said 60 youths benefitted from the initiative, with 20 each picked for the training in Oyo, Ekiti, and Ondo states.
He stated that, though FIRS is primarily responsible for tax collection, the project was a way of giving back to society.
The FIRS boss stressed that the training would empower youths to become self-reliant, achieve financial independence, and contribute to the country’s economic growth by increasing its Gross Domestic Product (GDP), among other benefits. It would also enable them to become entrepreneurs, enhance economic development, and reduce unemployment-related insecurity.
“We are known for collecting taxes but also giving back to society. We do not only collect; we also give. That is why we developed this initiative to empower youths to become self-sufficient. The government cannot provide for everyone, and not everyone can depend on the government to survive. You can do what you can for yourself.
“This training equips youths with knowledge in livestock farming, including poultry and fish farming, enabling them to become entrepreneurs. This not only makes them responsible but also reduces unemployment and insecurity.
“The initiative is happening for the first time through Dr Zacch Adedeji’s leadership. Though you cannot feed everyone, you can feed one person who will feed the next, creating a cycle of support. This initiative targets 60 youths.”
