38 youths in Kogi State have received loans totaling N100,000 from the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) to start sustainable agricultural development.
The beneficiaries of the loan will use it to start four agricultural projects run by the Rural Employment Promotion Department of the NDE in Kogi state: Graduate Agricultural Enhancement, Community Based Agricultural Empowerment, Sustainable Agricultural Development, and Agricultural Enhancement.
In addition to loan distribution, 100 unemployed youths were trained in sustainable agricultural development.
The Director General of NDE, Mallam Abubakar Nuhu Fikpo, who was represented by the state coordinator, Mallam Abubakar Zakari, launched the program at the weekend in Lokoja, describing agriculture as the only sector with the potential to create mass employment for Nigeria’s unemployed youths.
The Director General reiterated the administration’s desire to tackle unemployment head-on by launching programs that will create more job opportunities for youths.
During the flag-off ceremony, the Head of Rural Employment Promotion, Mallam Shuaibu Omeiza, stated that the training was designed to provide beneficiaries with the necessary crop production training.
Mrs. Ann Ita, the facilitator of the program from NDE headquarters in Abuja, urged the trainees to take advantage of the opportunity because it has the potential to positively transform their lives.
Mallam Alhassan Dangana, speaking on behalf of the participants, praised the NDE and the federal government for providing them with the opportunity for training, promising to make good use of the rare opportunity.