The Yobe government on Tuesday distributed self-employment facilities and cash totaling N142 million to 400 youth as part of efforts to check unemployment in the state.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the state governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Gaidam, distributed the materials, which included sewing and knitting machines, electrical tools, and car wash and aquaculture facilities, among others.
In his remarks, the governor said agriculture and entrepreneurial development were veritable means of fighting poverty and unemployment.
He said over 500 hectares of land had been developed at Boloram, Jakusko, Muguram and Nguru lakes to engage over 1,000 youths in irrigation farming.
“Our vision is to provide the necessary enabling environment for the development of agriculture through irrigation so that by 2019, between 1,000 and 1,500 hectares of irrigable land would be effectively developed at various locations in the state,” he said.
The governor said that apart from the job creation facilities, the beneficiaries were given N20, 000 each, courtesy of the state government and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) office.
Gaidam said the UNDP also donated Maize, Millet, agro- chemical and sprayers to support the agriculture programme.
The governor said government had earmarked N1 billion in the 2017 budget as counterpart fund contribution to the SDG programme.
He urged the beneficiaries to make good use of the opportunity and materials provided for economic empowerment and overcome the ‘temptations to sell materials.” (NAN)
