The National Directorate of Employment (NDE), has disbursed ten million eight hundred thousand Naira, ( N10.8m) loan to one hundred and eight (108), beneficiaries of Agricultural Value Chain Ventures at the rate of N100,000 per beneficiary in Enugu State.
In addition, 50 other unemployed youths are undergoing a one week training in Agricultural Extension Training Services (AET) under the aegis of the Rural Empowerment Department (REP), of the Directorate.
The one week Agricultural Extension Training (AET) is targeted at transforming them into agric extension agents in various localities in Enugu State .
Speaking during the opening/flagging off ceremony of the disbursement, the Director General, NDE, Mallam Abubakar Nuhu Fikpo, represented by the Enugu State Coordinator, Mr. Donatus Uchegbu Azubuike informed the beneficiaries that the 108 beneficiaries were carefully selected based on their performance during the Agricultural Value Chain training and were being assisted to start agribusiness ventures of their choice to create wealth and food security as well as employ others.
Azubuike stated that the DG was passionate to see that many unemployed Nigerians are given the required life skills training and empowerment for them to be productive in life.
“This became imperative due to the prevailing need to curb the security challenges in Nigeria today,” he said.
The State Coordinator further enjoined the beneficiaries to make maximum use of the loans and apply them strictly for the purpose they were disbursed for.
He stated that they should adopt the principle of thinking big but starting small so that teething economic challenges could be easily handled.
Also speaking at the occasion, the representative of the Director, Rural Employment Promotion (REP), Mrs. Blessing Owan, in a goodwill message informed the beneficiaries that the loan facility was a very flexible one with a moratorium period of six (6) months and a tenure of three (3) years which gives them ample time to pay back.
Owan enjoined them to take the repayment process serious so that others would benefit from the loan recycling.
She further urged the AET participants to take the training serious as they would be the next set of beneficiaries of such loan packages.
Enugu State Commissioner for Agriculture, Matthew Idu, represented by Prince Godspower Chimereze, reiterated the need for the beneficiaries to use the money judiciously.
Idu enjoined the beneficiaries not to disappoint NDE in particular and Enugu State in general by not using the funds wisely so that in no distant time additional hands would be empowered through their dexterity in agribusiness ventures.
“Make sure that you utilize the funds judiciously. The economy is not favourable but if you utilise the loan well, you will enhance your chances of uplifting yourselves and others. It will be a disservice to NDE and the state if you fail to make good use of the loan,” he enjoined.
Some of the beneficiaries promised to make good use of the soft loan by applying them in their agribusiness.
“I have already put the loan into use to improve on my piggery farm,” Mr. Paul Oforka said, while Livinus Ilo said, “the money will help me to buy more feeds for my pigs, in-pig and water containers for the pigs.”
