Maiduguri — A total of 50 graduates of agriculture and other related fields under the Borno State integrated farming and vocational job scheme yesterday departed for Thailand for a three months training on modern agriculture technique.

Daily Trust gathered that the graduates are expected to acquire extensive training on various fields of agriculture at the Kaseetan University, Bangkok. Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima, who addressed the graduates before their departure, implored them to be dedicated so as not to waste public funds invested on them.

"You should realize that the trip you are embarking upon is not for leisure, it is intended to change your status through vocational jobs creation", he said.

The governor said the scheme was part of his administration's aggressive strategies for improved agricultural development. Shettima said when they return, the beneficiaries are expected to train over 10,000 others. Earlier, chairman of the selected committee who is also the chief of staff to the governor, Abubakar Kyari, said the youths were selected from the 27 local government areas of the state.