SKILLS TRAINING FOR POVERTY ALLEVIATION

Apart from the skills training organized by IFAS for jobless youths, since her inception. IFAS repackaged her assistance programme with the advent of a democratic Government in 1999, and signed a Memorandum of Understanding to sensitize and transfer the Modern Beekeeping technology to Nigerians for economic empowerment and poverty reduction.
The project was done in partnership with the following Federal Ministries: Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, Federal Ministry of Youth Development, Federal Ministry of Inter-Governmental Affairs, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Federal Capital territory, Abuja.

The project was approved for the following States: Kaduna,Ondo,Osun,Kogi,Benue,Kano,Bauchi,Delat,Abia,Enugu,Rivers,Katsina,Plateau,FCT,Ekiti, Imo, Lagos and Oyo.

Despite the beaureacracy and the bottlenecks of doing business with Government agencies, yet, the programme was very successful that many Nigerian youths started showing interest in Beekeeping while Ondo State Government requested IFAS to set up a honey factory and a queen rearing Center for her. The factory which was set up in 2…., is functioning today as sunshine Honey factory, Akure.

IFAS also partnered with the Federal Ministry of youth development to organize other skills training for all the South Western States at the National Youth Center at Ode Omu In Osun State and also for the Northern States, at the National Youth Center, Katsina, Katsina State.

Apart from Modern Beekeeping, IFAS taught the youths the following skills; Interior decoration, Bakery, Fashion designing, Pattern making, etc.

Many of the beneficiaries have established their own businesses and are reported to be doing well.

THE INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MODERN BEEKEEPING TECHNOLOGY

This institute was established through a bilateral agreement of Cooperation between IFAS and the Federal Govt. of Nigeria. The Institute is the training arm of the International First Aid Society.
The Institute organizes the following Courses:

S/N	Programmes	Duration
1	Basic Certificate Course in Modern Beekeeping	Five Days
2	Intermediate Certificate Course in Modern Beekeeping	Two Weeks
3	Advanced Certificate Course in Modern Beekeeping	Four Weeks
4	Diploma in Modern Beekeeping Technology	36 Weeks
5	Certificate Course on Queen Rearing	Eight Weeks
6	Post Graduate Certificate Course in Modern Beekeeping Technology	36 Weeks
7	Executive Training is available on special request

 

  TARGETS OF THE TRAINING

Beekeepers, Bee Farmers, Agricultural Extension workers, Agriculturists, Graduates, School Leavers, Retired and Retiring Civil and public Servants,Busines men and Women who want to acquire Modern beekeeping Skill,etc.

BENEFITS OF THE TRAINING TO NIGERIA.

The programmes of the Institute shall bring the following benefits to Nigeria.

1. Equipping people with gainful skill of beekeeping in a relatively short period of time.
2. Reducing the unemployment level by creating job opportunities either for self employment or for employment as an employee of beekeepers or as a teacher of apiculture or as a producer of bee value added products.
3. Increasing health food production and consumption within and outside Nigeria.
4. Promoting export growth of non oil and allied products, like high quality pure honey and other bee products.
5. Increasing crop production through pollination through pollination.
6. Supporting the National recovery process through the expanded programme of Modern Beekeeping Technology.
7. Helping Nigeria’s Bee farmers to produce high quality honey that shall meet world standard and complete favourably in the international market.

 

SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME

In the Course of travelling to different States of Nigeria for training, IFAS has been confronted with some pathetic cases of indigent students who could not pay for their secondary education.
In response to such pathetic Cases, IFAS had to squeeze out fund from her limited resources and has presently awarded a total of five hundred scholarships to these indigent youths to complete their secondary education.

PUBLIC BENEFIT LECTURES

IFAS organizes public benefit health lectures to enlighten and educate the public on some sensitive health issues. Like, HIV/AIDS, Diabetes, stress, Hypertension, Obesity, the effects of Narcotics, alcoholism,etc.

IFAS INTERVENTION DURING THE EBOLA CRISIS IN NIGERIA.

IFAS responded to the call by the Federal Government of  Nigeria on the Development partners to assist Nigeria.
The Country Representative of IFAS in Nigeria, Dr. E.Lenou Ugo held a meeting with the Honourable Minister of National Planning Commission and the Federal Minister of Health concerning the Medical emergency facing Nigeria. IFAS offered to produce a Hand sanitizer to be used in schools and public places in Nigeria.

NAFDAC registered the product after an accelerated Laboratory testing which enabled IFAS to mass produce the hand sanitizer for distribution to schools and public places.

IFAS also organized workshops and seminars to equip doctors and health workers to confront the highly infectious disease. The Federal Govt. OF Nigeria expressed her gratitude to IFAS at the end of the Ebola crisis.

SUPPORT OF THE UNITED NATIONS EVENTS

As an affiliate of UNITED nations, IFAS organizes United Nations days and events in Nigeria through the media and through public enlightenment lectures on the U.N aims and purposes.

IFAS sensitizes the students on UN days and events through the IFAS First Aid Clubs in schools.

In Conclusion, IFAS invites you to join her in assisting the needy and empowering people for wealth creation.