Kwara Govt Urges Youths to Explore Agricultural Opportunities‎

By -
‎The Kwara State Government has called on youths in the state to take advantage of the numerous opportunities available in agriculture, entrepreneurship and other emerging sectors to become self-reliant and contribute meaningfully to the development of the state and the nation.
‎
‎The Commissioner for Youth Development, Amb. Ndanusa Usman Shehu, made the call while speaking on a radio programme, Ijoba Mekunu at O FM, as part of activities marking the 2026 International Youth Day, themed “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations.”
‎
‎Speaking on the theme, the Commissioner advised young people to identify opportunities within their immediate environment and make deliberate efforts to develop themselves, stressing that youths must move beyond waiting for white-collar jobs and explore areas where they can create value and generate income.
‎
‎Amb. Ndanusa highlighted available financing opportunities for young people, noting that the Bank of Agriculture (BOA) provides loan facilities of up to N1 million for eligible young farmers and agribusiness owners. He urged youths interested in agriculture to take advantage of the facility to establish, expand and strengthen their businesses.
‎
‎He also encouraged young entrepreneurs to explore financing opportunities provided by the Bank of Industry (BOI), which offers facilities of up to N10 million without the need for a guarantor, subject to eligibility requirements and the bank’s assessment. 

He said such interventions could help young people transform viable ideas into sustainable businesses and expand existing enterprises.
‎
‎According to the Commissioner, young people should not limit themselves to seeking white-collar employment, but should also consider entrepreneurship, agriculture, technology, creative industries and other emerging sectors where they can create value and generate employment.
‎
‎He also encouraged students and other young people to look around their immediate environment, identify challenges and opportunities within their communities, and consider what they could do to provide solutions. 

According to him, there are abundant opportunities for young people who are willing to look beyond conventional career paths and take action.
‎
‎The Commissioner further disclosed that the present administration under the leadership of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq CON have made land available for youths interested in farming, with agricultural clusters being developed in Malete to provide young people with access to land for cultivation.
‎
‎He identified snail farming, mushroom production, crayfish and prawn farming, among others, as agricultural ventures that could be started with relatively modest capital, urging youths to explore such areas based on their interests, skills and available resources.
‎
‎Amb. Ndanusa also advised youths to be up and doing, stressing the need for them to be proactive, acquire relevant skills and take advantage of government interventions, financial opportunities and other available support programmes to build sustainable livelihoods.
‎
‎Also speaking on the programme, the Coordinator of Young Farmers in Nigeria (YOFIN), Abdulbasit Olatunji, said it was important for youths to embrace agriculture as a means of strengthening food security and ensuring a prosperous future for Nigeria.
‎
‎Olatunji noted that youth participation in agriculture has gone beyond planting and harvesting, explaining that young people are increasingly becoming involved in different aspects of the agricultural value chain, including processing, packaging, marketing and other related businesses.
‎
‎He emphasized that YOFIN has experts and experienced practitioners who are available to guide young people interested in venturing into agriculture, urging youths to take advantage of the knowledge and mentorship opportunities available within the organisation.
‎


‎Oluwafemi Samuel Adeoye 
‎Press Secretary 
‎Ministry of Youth Development

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Kwara State Government Agriculture Development Through Indigent Farmers Empowerment

By -
Image
 *By SANGODARE AYINLA*  Thrilling account after three years of governance and a tale of accountability and justice in  stewardship are what comes to mind whenever the administration of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq in Kwara State comes under the radar.  Three years after the launch of the O-to ge-inclined administration, it has not been  business-as-usual in the economic life of the state. That Mallam AbdulRahaman AbdulRazaq administration outshines administrations of sixteen years that Kwarans had had in the past is an acknowledgement of the magnitude of the achievements recorded within the period. Those achievements- noticeable in education, health, water sector, energy, sports, judiciary, agriculture, commerce, works, and others- are enormous and they speak for the governor everywhere; hence, the presence of the government is visible in every nook and cranny of the state. For citizens and residents, it’s three years of bountiful harvests, it’s a...
Read more

Kwara, WHO Develop Costed Health Promotion Strategic Framework

By -
Image
The Kwara State Government in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), has commenced a three-day workshop to develop the State Health Promotion Strategic Framework Costed Implementation Plan aimed at strengthening health promotion interventions and improving public health outcomes across the state. Speaking at the opening of the workshop in Ilorin, the Director of Public Health, Dr. Oluwatosin Fakayode, who represented the state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Amina Ahmed El-Imam, described the workshop as a critical step towards enhancing the health status of residents through a coordinated and evidence-based approach. Dr.El-Imam explained that the workshop would enable the state to adapt the National Health Promotion Communication Strategy to its peculiar needs, ensuring effective implementation based on local realities. According to her, the development of a state-specific framework would provide a clear strategy for shaping positive health behaviours, improv...
Read more

Gov AbdulRazaq Inspects, Calls Ongoing Bode Saadu/Kaiama/Kosubosu Road Construction 'Major Breakthrough

By -
Image
(L-R: Commissioner for Works and Transport Hon. Abdulquawiy Olododo; Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq (CON); and Engr. Youg Chang Shoe; inspecting the site of the ongoing construction of Bode Saadu, Kaiama to Kosubosu road, on Thursday.) •  Hails FG, host communities for huge investment, patience Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Thursday visited under-construction Bode Saadu/Kaiama/Kosubosu road project, calling it a major breakthrough for the state and Nigeria. Valued at over N350bn, the Governor said the road will open up Nigeria’s economy with other West African countries such as the Republic of Benin and strengthen the protocols on African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). AbdulRazaq thanked the Federal Government and BUA Group for embarking on the project, and commended the affected communities for their patience. “This is a major breakthrough. It is a huge success for Nigeria. Let me first of all thank the federal government for this. ...
Read more

Kwara State Government to begin In-Between Round Immunization Activity in 1,014 Settlements

By -
Image
The Kwara State Government, in collaboration with development partners, will commence the In-Between Round Immunization Activity (IBRA) across 1,014 settlements in 128 wards of the state from Thursday, July 2 to Sunday, July 5, 2026, as part of efforts to close immunity gaps and interrupt the transmission of poliovirus. The Executive Secretary of the Kwara State Primary Health Care Development Agency (KWSPHCDA), Professor Nusirat Elelu, disclosed this in a press statement issued on Wednesday from her office along Fate Road, Ilorin. Professor Elelu explained that the In-Between Round Immunization Activity (IBRA) is a targeted vaccination intervention conducted between major immunization campaign rounds to vaccinate children missed during previous exercises and strengthen immunity in high-risk communities. According to her, the intervention is designed to rapidly close immunity gaps and reduce the risk of continued poliovirus transmission. She noted that the objectives of the...
Read more