By Dauda R. Pam, Maiduguri
National Land Development Agency, (NALDA), in collaboration with Borno State Government, Monday, hosted the graduation of about 269 soil doctors and extension workers in Maiduguri, the state capital.
Selected from across the 27 local government areas of Borno state underwent training on soil analysis and extension services under the National Young Farmers Scheme, championed by NALDA in collaboration with Borno’s ministry of Animal Resources and Fisheries Development.
A total of bout 1,000 youth graduates are expected to benefit from the training, which will be conducted in batches comprising of 200 participants.
President Muhammadu Buhari, was represented by the Senate President, Sen. Ahmed Ibrahim Lawan who commended Governor Babagana Umara Zulum for his excellent working relationship with federal government agencies.
The senate President applauded Gov. Zulum’s efforts towards transforming Borno state despite the myriad of challenges of insecurity,still stood tall among his peers in providing governance to the common man.
Governor Zulum in his remarks, emphasized the need for more extension workers to revitalize the agricultural sector in Nigeria and specifically commended his predecessor, Senator Kashim Shettima, for the huge agricultural equipments he procured during his tenure as the Governor of the state.
In the same vein, the Governor acknowledged the tremendous efforts put in place by the Executive Secretary of NALDA for the scheme to take off.
Commissioner of Animal Resources and Fisheries Development of Borno state, Comrade Juliana Bitrus, hinted that, Governor Zulum, has approved the release of the counterpart funds as well as stipends to the 269 first batch youth graduates of the scheme.
According to her, the Governor has also approved the allocation of over 15 hectares of land for the Young Farmers Scheme in 40 different locations and that another 2000 unemployed youth would be trained on fish farming under the Young Farmers Scheme, while 40 other fish processors would also benefit from the same scheme.
Executive Secretary of NALDA, Mr. Paul Ikonne, remarked that, Prof. Zulum, is one of the proactive Governors that has provided enabling environment for the Young Farmers Scheme to be implemented in the state.
Also, in a goodwill message,the Director General of the National Youth Service Corps, (NYSC), Brigadier General Shuaibu Ibrahim, expressed satisfaction for the support to Corp members servingi n Borno state.
The DG said, Zulum had in the last two years released over N400m for the welfare of corps members serving in Borno.
