By Ankeli Emmanuel (In Sokoto State)
The National Orientation Agency (NDE) has empowered 48 graduates of the Agricultural Enhancement Scheme (AES) in Sokoto with 50, 000 naira each to enable them actualize their training on poultry and vegetable production.
Delivering his speech at the NDE's Sokoto office, the State Coordinator, Malam Ibrahim Faisal Audu, said the initiative will not only go a long way to contribute to youths development but also guarantee them financial autonomy.
Malam Faisal who noted that the 48 unemployed youths were selected from across the three Senatorial Districts of Sokoto state, added that the NDE has a target of unemployed youths with passion for agricultural advisory services.
Speaking on the monetary empowerment, Faisal said, "Let me at this juncture formerly inform the beneficiaries that the loan disbursed to them through their individual bank accounts is a loan facilty attracting a single digits simple interest of 9%. The loan has a moratorium of six (6) months before repayment begins and is payable in three (3) years". Faisal hinted.
Earlier in her welcome remarks, Hajiya Palmata Hassan who represented the HOD of the Rural Employment, said this is part of their agribusiness enhancement orientation scheme geared towards making agriculture lucrative to discourage rural-urban drift, create mass employment and reduce poverty.
Palmata while admonishing the 48 beneficiaries to make judicious use of what they are going to be given, also task them to ensure that they use the money to start-up something for themselves. NNL.
