The Minister for Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, announced that the Federal Government has trained 541 youths in modern agricultural techniques as part of efforts to combat unemployment in the country.
At the closing ceremony of the training, held at the Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre in Jos, Plateau State, Olawande highlighted that the training focused on skills like cassava processing, beekeeping, and fishery.
Represented by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Olubunmi Olusanya, Olawande emphasized that the program aimed to equip participants with both entrepreneurial and agricultural skills to promote self-reliance. The training, which involved participants from the North East, North West, and North Central regions, will continue in future phases to empower more Nigerian youths and help them 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 emphasized that the future belongs to the youth, whom he noted: “currently make up 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 organizing the training for youths across the country, and for being part of the historic occasion.
He also congratulated the participants and organizers 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.
