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The Niger State Government has made another giant stride in the agriculture sector, as 70 out of 500 youths trained in soilless farming and advanced modern farming techniques at the Soilless Farm Lab in Abeokuta, Ogun State, are set to be empowered following a three-month training exercise.
This was disclosed by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Digital Media and Strategy, Abdullberqy Usman Ebbo, on his social media handle X after his visit to the farm in Ogun State, where 500 youths have benefitted from the training and graduated within one year. The training is being facilitated by the office of the Niger State Governor’s Special Adviser on Social Investment Program (SIP), Hauwa Bako Mohammed.
Abdulbaqy Ebbo explained that this initiative is part of their efforts to promote agricultural practices in Niger State, which is a top priority for the administration of Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago.
He emphasised that the Special Adviser on SIP, along with himself and the project manager of SIP, Malam Shaba Umar, have provided the trainees with a piece of land (100ft by 100ft), over a thousand empty sacks to be filled with nutrient-rich soil, a source of water, and funds needed from the initial stage of seed purchasing to the final production stage.
The Special Adviser noted that they have taken the responsibility to set them up to begin a pilot scheme that will serve as a test to prepare them for brighter future endeavours.
Ebbo further disclosed that after this phase, the next step is to introduce the trainees to the State Ministry of Agriculture, Niger Foods, and eventually to Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, where they will be provided with funds to embark on a career in the agricultural sector.
He expressed confidence that steps like these will steadily help many young people break free from poverty and unemployment; as they progress, they will further empower others by passing on the same training.