In an effort to improve living standard of the people, more than 920 beneficiaries drawn from across the three senatorial district of Ondo State are to benefit in the 2nd batch of the Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises in Niger Delta (LIFE-ND) project funded by FG/IFAD.
Speaking at the orientation training and project facilitation programme on Thursday, 21st July, 2022, the Project Coordinator, Prince Ademola Olawale said the project which is funded by IFAD aims to create employment, generate income and ensure food sufficiency across Niger Delta states.
The LIFE-ND is a Project that directly supports Nigeria’s Agricultural policy and the strategic framework for youth
empowerment, engagement and job creation, being implemented in the nine Niger-Delta States- In Ondo State, the Project is being implemented in 10 LGAs and 10 communities per LGA
selected, based on pre-defined criteria.
Olawale who said youths would be supported in the areas of cocoa and cassava farming, fishery among others further noted that the 920 beneficiaries will undergo training for the next 3 months before being empowered and followed up to ensure success of their businesses.
While urging the incubatees to make the most use of the window of opportunity at their disposal, Olawale acknowledged the successes recorded during the first batch of the programme just as he hinted that some beneficiaries are now champions of the project.
“Not just Ondo State alone, across the Niger-Delta region,that’s the main objective. We are supporting and empowering the youth in the area of agribusinesses, cocoa production, cassava, poultry and fish.
“We don’t just stop at production, it cut across all the value chain that are existing within each commodity or enterprise.
“In this second batch, we have 920 beneficiaries and within the next six to eight months we’re bringing in another batch but, this set will undergo training for three months after which they will be empowered. Immediately that’s done ,we’d bring in another batch”, Olawale stated.
While congratulating the be eficiaries, he revealed that there would be a lot of benefits they would obtain.
He admonished the beneficiaries to take the exercise with seriousness to reap optimal benefits, adding that they would be empowered after the training.
Flagging off the project, the State Commissioner for Agriculture and Forestry, Hon. Olayato Aribo while noting that the programme is a build up on the success recorded in April when 260 youths from the state were successfully graduated and empowered in various enterprises of their choice, stressed that the Project, IFAD/FGN/LIFE-ND is for another set of 920 beneficiaries that will be trained and empowered in various enterprises of their choice.
Hon. Aribo who said the graduands are not left on their own to navigate the murky water of floating a new enterprise but are fervently been monitored and guided to make a success of themselves in their chosen areas of interest stressed that the project will among others afford them the opportunity to earn a living while also being able to employ others.
“It is hoped that this will promote food security and equally reduce
unemployment rate in the State,” he added.
He also used the opportunity to appreciate Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN for his unflinching support to LIFE-ND project and other Developmental Agricultural Projects in the state.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, State Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Mr Edward Tubosun Ogunmola charged the beneficiaries as well to be attentive and to take advantage of the programme.
The event also featured a technical session and lecture on Youth and Entrepreneurship as well as on Departmental Roles and Duties.
Other highlights include testimonies from champions of the project in the first batch as well as talks from incubators.
In a chat with newsmen, some of the beneficiaries while thanking the government for providing them with the needed platform to succeed, said they will make the most use of the opportunity.
