IFAD empowers 26,000 Nigerians through $30m project
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The International Fund for Agricultural Development on Thursday said that 26,000 Nigerians have benefited from the $30m investment in the first phase of the Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises – Niger Delta Project.
The Country Director of IFAD, Dede Ekoue, stated this at the 5th Supervision Mission of the LIFE-ND project by the Federal Government, NDDC, and IFAD on Thursday.
Ekoue, who said LIFE-ND is aimed at empowering youths and women with practical skills in agribusiness in the Niger Delta region, noted that to achieve this, the programme adopted a model where all trainees pass through what is referred to as incubation.
She said, “IFAD invested over $30m in the first phase of the LIFE-ND project with over 26,000 beneficiaries. The programme is unique to us at IFAD. We are committed to empowering youth in the agric business and to generating jobs.”
She also said that Nigeria cannot achieve its dream of food sovereignty without harnessing the potential of its youth in full capacity, noting that the programme adopted a model where all trainees pass through what is referred to as incubation.
She noted, “We are talking about agricultural food system transformation; it is a key topic on the global platform. Food sovereignty cannot be achieved without fully harnessing the potential of the youth in agric.”“The youth have the largest population. So, LIFE-ND is aimed at empowering youth with practical skills using a model of business incubation. By the time they go through the incubation process, they come out as business owners. They are able to set up an agricultural business.
“We have a good story in terms of linking these agricultural business owners to the market. So, income generation and sales are not issues for them. Creating jobs for youths is the key to enabling growth; it is the key to peace; it is the key to development; it is the key to business growth.
“LIFE-ND also emphasises women. Women are key to food production, food transformation, food sovereignty, and proper nutrition. This is what LIFE-ND is delivering.”
On his part, the National Coordinator, LIFE-ND, Dr Abiodun Sanni, said the first phase of the programme covered six states — Ondo, Edo, Abia, Bayelsa, Cross River, and Delta — with young agro-entrepreneurs, youths, women, and persons with disabilities benefiting from the programme.
While expressing his commitment to actualising the transformative agenda of the project, which he said aligns with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, Sanni disclosed that 4,380 beneficiaries are currently being enlisted in the ongoing phase.
Representative of the NDDC, Stella Manureh, said the LIFE-ND project “is our shared commitment to improving the lives of the Niger Delta people through food security. IFAD, your continued investment in agriculture has improved the livelihood of the people. It enforces our collective responsibility for transparency and accountability.”
