USAID Empowers 120 Vulnerable Youths in Borno State

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Northeast Connection has empowered no fewer than 120 vulnerable youths in Borno State, Nigeria with modern farming tools.

The agency informed that the initiative was through its direct implementation activity under the Borno state portfolio.

According to USAID, the empowerment programme was organized to mark the end of intensive training and support for vulnerable youths to boost their resilience against violent extremist infiltration through agricultural livelihood, while promoting peace building in two wards of Galdimare and Yawi in Biu local government area of the state.

Speaking, the USAID Northeast Connection Program Manager, Borno, Mustapha Shettima stressed that the overall goal of the NE Connection Activity was to strengthen the resilience of communities vulnerable to violent extremist infiltration and conflict as well as to develop local capacity to respond to emerging threats.

His words: “The USAID Northeast Connection through the direct implementation activity under Borno state portfolio, organized a one-day event on official handing over and distribution of modern farming tools to 120 vulnerable youths trained in modern techniques on irrigation farming. By targeting communities not yet under the control of violent extremist organizations (VEOs) across target states of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe. Through the direct implementation activity on supporting intercommunity action on agricultural livelihood and peace building for vulnerable youths, USAID Northeast Connection has been able to train 120 vulnerable youths on modern techniques in irrigation farming and peace building methods to provide them with modern farming tools.”

Shettima identified one of the root causes of youth joining violent extremism as lack of economic opportunities and livelihood.

Meanwhile, it was gathered that the agricultural equipment given to the beneficiaries included a set of water pump machines and hosepipe, rain boots, cutlasses, rakes, and hoes, among others.

Agro Nigeria