The Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC) has flagged off the harvest from its demonstration floating fish cages at Igbokoda, the headquarters of Ilaje Local Government area.

The event, held at the Fishery Terminal premises, was graced by notable personalities, including the Chairman of the Ondo State House of Assembly Committee on OSOPADEC, Oluwatoyin Allen; the Chairman of Ilaje Local Government,  Maurice Oripanye; and a host of others.

Speaking at the event, the Secretary of the Commission, Princess Abike Bayo-Ilawole, stated that the flag-off is aimed at enhancing the quality of life of youths in the oil-bearing region of the state through empowerment in aquaculture.

According to her, “The essence of this project is to uplift the youths of the mandate areas by fostering self-sufficiency, enhancing food security, and accelerating the development of the state’s coastal region through strategic investment in agriculture, in line with the state’s mantra.

“You may recall that this administration, at its inception, introduced the ‘OUR EASE’ initiative, rooted in a commitment to transform Ondo State into an epitome of advancement, equity, and sustainable growth, with an emphasis on revitalising rural areas through agriculture and the blue economy.

“This commitment is what encouraged us to venture into this project, which serves as a catalyst for the current administration’s goals and objectives.

“The aim of this initiative is to train youths across the mandate areas on the procedures of the floating cage system and other suitable marine fisheries; to provide technical and logistical support for empowerment and self-sustainability; and to create an enabling environment for ease of doing fishing business across the mandate areas and beyond,” she added.

Princess Bayo-Ilawole also revealed that the Commission will soon commence training for over 100 youths across Ilaje and Ese-Odo Local Government Areas.

Reflecting on the past six months, the Secretary expressed satisfaction with the success recorded.

“I am pleased to report significant progress with the floating cage fish farming initiative — a pilot project that demonstrates how fish can naturally thrive in their original environment, thereby enhancing their nutritional value and potentially increasing their economic value.

“We inaugurated this project in October 2024, with an initial stock of 17,000 catfish, comprising fingerlings and juvenile sizes at Igbokoda, and 10,000 at Igbekebo in Ese-Odo Local Government Area. Six months down the line, our success is what we are experiencing today.”

Earlier in her welcome address, the Director of Youths/Women Development and Poverty Alleviation, Mrs Iyabo Busari, emphasised that the fish cage innovation programme would help empower youths and women in the Commission’s mandate communities for self-sustainability.

In her goodwill message, the Chairman of the ODHA Committee on OSOPADEC, Oluwatoyin Allen, expressed heartfelt gratitude to the State Governor, His Excellency, Dr Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, for his steadfast commitment towards the overall transformation of the state, both in infrastructure and human capital development, especially in the mandate areas.

She applauded the Commission’s first female Secretary and her Management team for introducing innovative initiatives aimed at reshaping the narrative of the oil-rich region.