The Ministry of Youth Development of the Federal Government of Nigeria has trained 541 young people in modern agricultural techniques, comprising cassava processing, beekeeping, and fisheries, to tackle unemployment.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of the two-week training programme in Jos, Plateau State, the Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, said the programme aimed to equip young people with modern agricultural techniques and practices to enhance their entrepreneurial skills and knowledge, engage them in agriculture, and foster networking and collaboration among the participants.

This was shared in a recent statement by the Director of Information and Public Relations in the ministry, Omolara Esan, which explained that the training would promote sustainable farming practices, thereby enhancing their employability in the agricultural sector.

Olawande assured the 541 participants from the North East, North West, and North Central Regions that the program would be continuous, adding that it is designed to empower Nigerian youth and enable them to maximize their potential.

Olawande, who was represented by the permanent secretary of the ministry, Olubunmi Olusanya, said: “Our goal is for you to become an employer of labour rather than constantly seeking employment. I can confidently say that we are actively making progress, and youth in agriculture is a priority in the Ministry of Youth Development. Each year will continue to be better than the last. I have noted all your recommendations and requests. When we return to Abuja, a detailed report will be submitted for implementation, and I can assure you that we will do our best to follow through on these plans.”

The Adagwom of Jos Izere Chiefdom, Jos-North Local Government Area, His Royal Highness, Ada Emmanuel Ajik, commended the Federal Government for organising the training for the “teeming youth across the country and for being part of the historic occasion.

He congratulated the participants and organisers for completing the training programme.

The monarch stated that “if it is true that the youth are the leaders of tomorrow, then there is no better way to prepare them than through the training they have undergone.”

He stated: “No society can develop without equipping its youth to succeed.”

The monarch urged the participants to apply what they had learnt during the period and to seize every opportunity to contribute to the nation-building effort.

A participant in the programme, Idah Dominion said he was overwhelmed by the way the facilitators made the process easy, adding that the training provided them with a high level of knowledge which he said would have been acquired with a huge amount.

He commended the federal government for the opportunity given to them.