Directorate disburses N1.2m loans to scheme beneficiaries in Ogun state
In its bid to eradicate unemployment and boost food security in the country, the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) has disbursed N1.2m loans to the second batch of beneficiaries of the Agricultural Enhancement Scheme (AES) in Ogun State.
During the presentation held at the Palace of the Paramount ruler of Yewaland, Ilaro, the Director General of the agency, Mallam Abubakar Nuhu Fikpo, said the loans can yield positive results if the beneficiaries are committed and use the fund judiciously.
Represented by the Head of Department, Rural Employment Promotion, Edem Duke, the DG noted that the selection of the beneficiaries followed due process in accordance with national best practices.
“National Directorate of Employment is an apex agency of government, saddled with the responsibility of creating jobs for the unemployed. Over the years, we have been able to create jobs through our Programmes of Vocational Skills Development, Small Scale Enterprises, Special Public Works and Rural Employment Promotion.
“For the selection of beneficiaries, the person has to be unemployed and has to show interest in our programme whenever it is publicised and registered. We have a gateway to NDE called the Job Centre.
“They come in there, there is a counselor who counsels them on various programmes and skills in NDE and they pick what they want. At the end of the training, beneficiaries will be selected for empowerment.
“The money will be very useful to those who we believe would be very committed to investing the money wisely. This money that will be given to them under the Agricultural Enhancement Scheme is to enable them venture into any Agricultural businesses of their choice and its value chain. They can go into Buying and selling, Processing, Packaging and everything that has to be with Agriculture. We are not restricting it to only Crops or Livestock,” he added.
In his address, the State Coordinator of the agency, Akinsanya Mobolaji Remi, reiterated the importance of agriculture in the society, adding that the population of youths who are eager to leave rural for urban areas for white collar jobs needs urgent attention.
“The role and importance of agriculture in our society cannot be over-emphasised. Agriculture, aside being a major source of livelihood and sustenance for the people, provides a large percentage of employment in the country.
“The amount of Rural-Urban migration of youths these days is alarming, everyone wants to go to big cities in search of white collar jobs that are not readily available, leaving farming and other agricultural activities to the aged and elderly ones who lack the strength and vitality to do much.
“Agricultural enhancement scheme is designed to help encourage and redirect the passion and interest of youths back towards Agriculture.
“Today, it is worthy to note that N1.2m in form of loans would be disbursed to encourage 12 youths in the agribusiness and its value chain. We therefore encourage you to put the money to judicious use and wish you the very best in your endeavors, praying that your efforts would be crowned with fruitfulness,” he added.
The Guardian / Foluke Ibitomi
