The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) has announced the disbursement of N1.2 billion in loans to 1,200 unemployed youths under its Sustainable Agricultural Development Skills Training (SADTS) in 12 states of the federation.

The NDE Director-General, Abubakar Nuhu Fikpo, disclosed this at the one-day orientation and the launching of the 2023 SADTS scheme in Bauchi on Thursday.

Fikpo noted that the training would help the youths to acquire the knowledge required to set up their agribusinesses.

The NDE boss, who was represented by the State Coordinator, Lawal Ali Yaya, said the 1,200 unemployed youths will be engaged in three months intensive training on livestock and crop production in areas of their choice.

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He explained that each beneficiary would receive N15,000 as stipends for a three-month transportation allowance and N100,000 startup pack as a loan to pay back in two years and six months moratorium after the completion of the programme.

He added that the prospective participants were drawn from the local government and senatorial districts of the 12 states.

Also speaking, the head of the training, Zara Umar, said the scheme will, amongst others, create employment for the rural communities through training on modern innovative Agricultural technology (vegetable crops/ livestock production skills) with its value chain.

On his part, the Emir of Bauchi, Dr Suleiman Adamu, who was represented by the Sarkin Office of Bauchi, Zubairu Aliyu, lauded the initiative by NDE and enjoined the beneficiaries to put in their best during the training.

Some of the participants expressed their gratitude to the NDE and the federal government for the gesture and promised to use the loan for its purpose.

Mohammed Nasir

The Star