Youths in Adamawa State would be able to access up to N100,000 from the N4.2 million set aside by the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) to boost agricultural production, director general Abubakar Fikpo said on Wednesday.

Mr Fikpo, represented by Adamawa State coordinator Ibrahim Jimada, said the loan will be disbursed to 42 unemployed youths.

An orientation course for beneficiaries of the agricultural empowerment scheme began on Wednesday in Yola. 

The beneficiaries were trained under the Department of Rural Empowerment scheme (REP) on sustainable agricultural development.

“They were trained on Agricultural Enhancement Scheme, Sustainable Agricultural Development Scheme, Community-Based Agricultural Empowerment and Graduation Agricultural Empowerment scheme,” Mr Fikpo said.

The NDE boss advised beneficiaries to take advantage of the training to earn a living.

Edam Duke, Head of Department, REP, commended NDE for the programme and urged the beneficiaries to be committed as they would appreciate the gesture at the end.

“Those who are serious will soon be self-employed and employers of labour. The Federal Government is committed to creating employment opportunities for youths,” he said.

In her remarks, Zainab Audu, Head of Department, REP scheme in Adamawa said that farming was a lucrative business and urged beneficiaries to pay attention to the orientation for successful implementation in the field.

“With these skills you will become millionaires and employers of labour within a short time if you put it into practice,” Ms Audu said.

She called on the beneficiaries to be good ambassadors of their respective communities by ensuring peace and unity for sustainable development.

Also, Deborah Gisilanbe, who spoke on behalf of the participants thanked the Federal Government and NDE for the training and gave assurance that they would utilise the opportunity toward achieving the objectives of the programme. 

(NAN)