The Minister for Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, says the Federal Government has trained 541 youths in modern agricultural techniques, to combat unemployment in the country.
A statement on Saturday by the Director of Press, Ebunoluwa Esan, noted that the minister stated this at the closing of the training programme held at the Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre in Jos, Plateau State.
Olawande disclosed that the training, organised by the Ministry of Youth Development, focused on skills such as cassava processing, beekeeping, and fishery.
Represented by the mnistry’s Permanent Secretary, Mr Olubunmi Olusanya, the minister said the programme’s goal was to equip participants with entrepreneurial and agricultural skills to foster self-reliance.
He assured the 541 participants selected from the North East, North West, and North Central regions, that the program would continue, adding that the program was designed to empower the Nigerian youths and enable them to maximize their potential.
“Our goal is for you to become an employer of labour rather than constantly seeking employment. I can confidently say that we are actively making progress, and youth in agriculture is a priority in the Ministry of Youth Development.
“Each year will continue to be better than the last. I have noted all your recommendations and requests. When we return to Abuja, a detailed report will be submitted for implementation, and I can assure you that we will do our best to follow through on these plans”, he said.
According to the statement, the minister emphasised that the future belongs to the youth, whom he noted: “currently makeup over 70 per cent of Nigeria’s population. He highlighted the importance of investing in young people, noting that they will be the ones to carry the responsibilities of our nation in the coming years”.
In his welcome remarks, the Adagwom of Jos Izere Chiefdom, Emmanuel Ajik, thanked the Federal Government for organising the training for youths across the country, and for being part of the historic occasion.
He also congratulated the participants and organisers for completing the training programme, noting that there was no better way to prepare the youth, who are often referred to as leaders of tomorrow, than undergoing the training.
“No society can develop without equipping its youth to succeed”, he added, urging the participants to apply what they have learned during the training period and to seize every opportunity to contribute to nation-building efforts.