By Umar Egbunu Muhammed, Lafia
No fewer than 100 unemployed youths has been trained on sustainable Agricultural Development for wealth creation and food sufficiency by National Directorate of Employment ( NDE) in Nasarawa State.
The Acting State Coordinator of the agency, Mr. Rotgak Goden- Go’ar, disclosed this on Tuesday during the orientation exercise for 2021 Sustainable Agricultural Development Training Scheme (SADTS) for the participants in Lafia.
He said that the programme was essentially organized to sensitize the new trainees on what they are going in for.
According to him, the orientation exercise is also an opportunity in bringing to the knowledge of the participants on the various programmes of NDE for accessibility and for self reliant.
He said: “It is also to educate the participants on the code of conduct, the do’s and the don’t while in training as well as general counselling. This scheme was carefully crafted to attract youths into agricultural production using modern methods.”
“It will provide more profitable farm income, promote environmental stewardship and enhance quality of life for farm families.
It is therefore in line with Federal Government policy on agriculture for empowerment, wealth creation and food sufficiency,” he added.
“A total of 100 trainee are engaged. The first phase is a two week intensive theory classes while the second phase is practical which involves establishment and maintenance of two model demonstration farms in livestock and crop production,” he said .
Goden- Go’ar commended the Ag. Director General of the Agency, Mallam Nuhu Abubakar- Fikpo for being up and doing in tackling youths restiveness in the country.
He also commended the Provost, College of Agriculture, Science and Technology, Lafia Dr. Yahaya Maikeffi for providing a piece of land for the scheme’s practical demonstration.
The acting coordinator has expressed its readiness to partner individuals, organisations and state government in order to tackle youths restiveness and unemployment in the state and the country at large.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the occasion, Dr Yahaya Maikeffi, the Provost, College of Agriculture, Science and Technology, Lafia has called on the participants to take the training with seriousness in their interest and for the overall development of the country.
Maikeffi, who was represented by Dr. Peter Aboki, has assured of the institution commitment to boost food sufficiency in the state.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries in an interview with our correspondent, Pius Utime, applauded NDE for the gesture and promised to take the training with all seriousness for food sufficiency.
