Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has said that his administration remains committed to transforming agriculture into a viable and sustainable pathway for wealth creation, food security, and youth development.
Okpebholo gave the assurance in Benin City at the flag-off ceremony for the disbursement of working capital and presentation of certificates to 637 beneficiaries of the Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises in the Niger Delta project in Edo State.
The governor said he recognised that sustainable agricultural development was essential to addressing unemployment, poverty, food insecurity, and rural underdevelopment. He said his administration has continued to place agriculture and food security at the centre of its development agenda.
Represented by his Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Jerry Uwangue, Governor Okpebholo said the LIFE-ND project has emerged as a strategic intervention designed to empower youths and women with practical agricultural skills, enterprise support, mentorship, and access to resources necessary for establishing profitable agribusiness ventures.
He said Edo State has recorded significant implementation achievements under the LIFE-ND Project.
He said, “Notably, the project has successfully trained 616 incubatees across 56 incubation centres located within six Local Government Areas of the State. This achievement reflects the dedication, hard work, and effective collaboration among the State Project Coordinating Office, IFAD, incubation centres, mentors, implementing partners, and all critical stakeholders.
“These beneficiaries have undergone intensive training in various agricultural value chains and enterprise management practices. They are now equipped with the technical knowledge, practical experience, and entrepreneurial skills required to become successful agripreneurs and contributors to the economic development of Edo State.”
National Project Coordinator of LIFE-ND, Sanni Abiodun, represented by Agribusiness Promotion Coordinator, Anthonia Esenwa, said the project has empowered over 4,500 youths, women, and physically-challenged persons in the state.
Esenwa said President Bola Tinubu provided critical funding for the project. She said the Federal Government has demonstrated that empowering young people in agribusiness is not just a policy on paper, but a concrete strategy for food security, job creation, and national economic growth.
She urged the beneficiaries to work hard to repay the loan and be good ambassadors of LIFE-ND.
Edo Project Coordinator of LIFE-ND, John Omoruyi, said the project was in line with the SHINE Agenda of Governor Okpebholo. He appealed to the beneficiaries to use the working capital for the purpose it was meant for.
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