NGO, CFAO Group empowers 20 fish farmers with revolving loans

Fish farmers in Ebute Afuye, Epe got a boost from a corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative sponsored by CFAO Group through CFAO Yamaha Motor Nigeria Limited in partnership with a local NGO, HEDA Resource Centre.

The empowerment programme, which was officially launched in February in Epe, would provide aquaculture training, extension service support and highly nutritious floating fish feeds for the farming season for 20 beneficiaries in a revolving loan format that would see other members of the Ire-Akari Fish Farmers Association take turns at accessing the Fund.

Mr Sulaimon Arigbabu, Executive Secretary, HEDA Resource Centre, expressed satisfaction over the initiative and assured the community that HEDA would continue to work at bringing partnerships and other initiatives that would empower the average fish farmer and ensure they get maximum returns in their fish farming operations.

The Lagos State Commissioner of Agriculture was represented at the event by Mr Emmanuel Audu, Assistant Director of Fisheries Services, and he said the Lagos government was happy with this initiative and would provide support by assigning agriculture extension officers who would periodically visit the beneficiaries to provide technical support for their fishing operations.

Emmanuel also enjoined the leadership of Ire Akari Fish Farmers Association to closely monitor and support the beneficiaries to ensure the support provided by CFAO Yamaha is maximally utilised.

Mr. Victor Momodu the Marketing Lead of CFAO Yamaha disclosed that the support provided for the fish farmers is in line with CFAO Group’s commitment to Nigeria and Africa, the Group’s mission is to contribute to economic growth that develops faster than demographic growth, contribute to the industrialisation of the continent and the emergence of the middle class by creating jobs and manufacturing affordable products.

On their part, the fish farmers commended CFAO Yamaha Motor Nigeria Limited and HEDA Resource Centre for the initiative which, according to them, would be very helpful in improving the beneficiaries’ income through increased productivity.

The chairman of the fish farmers, Mr Jelili Alausa, and one of the beneficiaries, Mr Sikiru Ajetunmobi, spoke on behalf of the fish farmers and pledged to ensure the success of this project so that it could attract other support and partnerships to their Association and community.