The National Directorate of Employment started the process of teaching and training a combined 1,850 unemployed graduates across the country as part of the 2024 Sustainable Agricultural Development Training Scheme.
During the event in Kwara State, which involved 50 recipients in Ilorin, the state coordinator of the NDE, Folashade Lanre-Ogun, who represented the agency’s Director-General, Abubakar Fikpo, stated that the three-month program, comprising theoretical and practical sessions, aims to eliminate poverty and promote self-reliance, among other goals.
The head of the NDE revealed that the participants were selected from the Local Governments and Senatorial districts of the 36 states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory.
“This training gives you the chance to gain the knowledge needed to establish your agribusinesses. Therefore, you should demonstrate your commitment to succeed as agripreneurs,” he said.
Additionally, the deputy director, Rural Employment Promotion Department, Beatrice Oruoyehu, represented by Mrs. Tola Olaoye, emphasized that the scheme aligns with the goals of President Bola Tinubu's administration, which is aimed at reforming the economy to achieve sustainable inclusive growth and enhance agriculture to ensure food security.
“It also aligns with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) I, II and Vll (No poverty, Zero hunger; and Decent work and Economic Growth).
“The program will create jobs and generate wealth, which will significantly reduce the number of unemployed individuals in the country.
The head of the REP department mentioned that the training will last three months and be split into two phases: two weeks of theoretical training in crop/livestock production along its value chain, followed by 10 weeks of practical field adaptive farm training.
A beneficiary of the scheme, Ibitoye Abiodun, who is involved in the poultry business, described the scheme as capable of eradicating poverty and enhancing socioeconomic welfare, especially at the grassroots.
