The National Directorate of Employment has given a loan of N100,000 each to 42 youths trained in various schemes under the Rural Employment Promotion Department.
Our correspondent reports that the schemes include; the 2022 Community-based Agricultural Empowerment Scheme, 2022 Agricultural Enhancement Scheme, 2022 Graduate Agricultural Empowerment Scheme, and 2022 Sustainable Agricultural Empowerment Scheme.
Presenting the N4.2 million loans to the beneficiaries, the Director-General of the NDE, Abubakar Nuhu, said the beneficiaries were carefully selected and trained in both theory and practice of modern agricultural farming.
Nuhu, who was represented by the state coordinator, Jediel Stephen, added, “This will lead to self-employment, poverty reduction, and wealth creation in livestock management and market gardening.”
Speaking further on the importance of the loan, the DG revealed that the beneficiaries were expected to harness food security in line with the Federal Government policy of the Agricultural Transformational Agenda in Gombe State and the nation in general.
He added, “On our part, we have accomplished the task given to us. Therefore, we are looking forward to the beneficiaries making good use of the ample opportunity given by undergoing the training and resettlement with start-up capital to commence farming as a business.”
Also speaking, Director of the REP, Duke Edem, urged beneficiaries to use the money to enhance their business conditions.
Edem, who was represented by Nkem Ekeamadi, said, “This loan will go a long way in helping the youths and women to improve livelihoods, food security and we should remember that we will return the money after a minimum of three years.”
