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By Umar Egbunu Muhammed, Lafia
The National Directorate of Employment (NDE), has revealed that the agency has granted N100, 000 each as loan to 108 unemployed persons in Nasarawa State last December 2021.
The Nasarawa State Coordinator of the agency, Mr Chris Bamsida dropped the hint during the orientation of the beneficiaries and the commencement of the training of 50 participants of Agricultural Extension Training (AET) in Lafia, the state capital.
He said the training was to enable them to become sself reliant and contribute their quota to the growth of the country, adding that is the four programmes of the agency.
His words: “We are here for the orientation of our loan beneficiaries of Agricultural Empowerment Scheme (AES), Community Based Agricultural Empowerment Scheme (CBAES) , Sustainable Agricultural Development Empowerment Scheme (SADES) and Graduate Agricultural Empowerment Scheme (GAES).”
He continued: “Also here for the orientation are fifty (50) participants of Agricultural Extension Training (AET.
“National Directorate of Employment (NDE) came into existence on March, 1986. It is charged with the responsibility to design and implement schemes to combat mass unemployment among unemployed youth, women, retired persons etc.”
“It has four core departments and Rural Employment Promotion Department (formerly Agricultural Department) is an integral part.
“It is in its fulfilment of its mandate to reduce unemployment in the agricultural sector that we are here today.
He said that the combined orientation made up of 108 beneficiaries of AES, CBAES, SADES and GAES that were granted loans of N100, 000 each last December.
The break down is as shown below:
“Agricultural Empowerment Scheme (AES) are 39, Sustainable Agricultural Development Empowerment Scheme (SADES) are 24, Community Based Agricultural Empowerment Scheme (CBAES) are 21 and Graduate Agricultural Empowerment Scheme (GAES) are 24.
Bamsida said that the money disbursed to the beneficiaries is a loan facility not a grant.
He, however, affirmed that the loan attracts a single digit simple interest rate of 9 %.
“The loan were disbursed to graduates of Sustainable Agricultural Development Scheme (SADTS) as well as some unemployed graduates of tertiary institutions.
“And the loan will have a moratorium of six months before they start paying back and it is repayable in three years,” he stated.
He urged the beneficiaries to repay their loan dutifully, responsibly and timely so that other unemployed persons could benefit as well.
“We have another set of 50 participants of Agricultural Extension Training who are going to undertake training in Agricultural Extension for five days from day to Friday.
“The extension service of the 50 participants is to professionally introduce the use of chemical sprayers, herbicides, insecticides and preservatives in agricultural production.
“They will also be trained on the use of improved varieties of seeds and seedlings to take advantage of government incentives, interventions and direction in agricultural production,” he added.
The state coordinator has commended Alhaji Abubakar Nuhu Fikpo, the Director General of NDE for being up and doing in tackling unemployment in the country.
Earlier, Dr Musa Maikeffi, the Provost, College of Agriculture, Science and Technology, Lafia has urged the participants to take advantage of NDE programmes in order to be self reliant and contribute their quota to the development of the country.
The provost, who was represented by Dr. Vincent Aya, the institution’s Director Consultancy Unit has also assured of the institution’s continued readiness to partner with NDE towards ensuring the training of unemployed youths and other Nigerians.
Responding, Mr Salaudeen Habibilaha one of the beneficiaries of the loan appreciated NDE for the gesture and promised to be good ambassador of the scheme.
