The Livelihood Improvement Family for the Niger Delta (IFAD LIFE-ND) project of the International Fund for Agricultural Development is expected to benefit a total of 12,000 youths in six states across Nigeria: Cross River, Abia, Bayelsa, Edo, Delta, and Ondo.

The project which revolves around agribusinesses (agric value chain) is initiated by the organization in partnership with the Federal Government of Nigeria to make the beneficiaries walk out of poverty and become self-reliant.

The national project coordinator, Engr. Sanni Abiodun disclosed in Calabar, the Cross River State capital during the flag-off of the orientation exercise for the 5th batch of beneficiaries in the three senatorial districts of Cross River State.

The organization, which cardinal objectives is to achieve food security, job, nutrition mainstreaming, climate change, financial inclusiveness and income generation pledged to assist incubatees from six states of Cross River, Abia, Bayelsa, Edo, Delta, and Ondo to become self-reliant upon receiving training in their chosen commodity and value chain instead of roaming the streets of the nation in search of white cooler jobs that may hardly exist.

Abiodun lauded the participants for scaling through the hurdles to qualify for Batch Five of 2000 incubatees of the IFAD/ Life -ND project in Cross River State.

He urged beneficiaries of the project to be hardworking, disciplined, loyal, and committed to duty so that they can witness a turnaround in their businesses and walk out from poverty.

Representing the national coordinator in Cross River South senatorial district, Engr. Moluno Anthony Ndidi charged beneficiaries of the project in the state to adhere strictly to operational guidelines so that they can change their social and financial status.

In their remarks, the rural institution, gender and youth coordinator, Dr. Clement Uwem who also represented the national coordinator in Cross River Central, and Mr Allswell Kelly Akari, who also represented the national coordinator in the North charged beneficiaries to use the opportunity to catapult themselves to become entrepreneurs in agro-businesses.

On his part, Cross River State commissioner for agriculture, crops and irrigation development, Johnson Ebokpo Jr, who was represented by the permanent secretary of the ministry, Bassey Ekpe, stated that Governor Bassey Otu’s administration was ready to partner with organizations on poverty reduction, especially in the area of agriculture value chain.

Source: Leadership