The Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, has created 26,100 jobs in the rural economy of the Niger Delta.
The project is being implemented in partnership with the International Fund for Agriculture (IFAD) and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
The project, known as the Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises Project in the Niger Delta (LIFE-ND), has also injected $40 million (N60 billion) into the rural economy of the Niger Delta.
The National Coordinator of LIFE-ND, Abiodun Sanni, disclosed this during the flag-off of the second batch of orientation camp for Rivers State.
He said that the project aimed at improving the lives of youths and women in the Niger Delta region.
He said the project has recorded appreciable success, creating sustainable jobs for over 26,100 beneficiaries and impacting heavily on the rural economy.
Sanni added that with the additional funding from NDDC, the project would soon create 38,250 new jobs, bringing the total number of jobs created to 38,250.
Sanni said the project was being expanded to three additional states (Imo, Rivers, and Akwa Ibom) funded by NDDC, which would complement the existing project.
He commended the present leadership of NDDC led by the Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, “for putting their money where their mouth is.”
The project is targeting over 500 beneficiaries in this particular phase, with the goal of scaling up operations and bringing more youths onboard.
The project is expected to have a significant impact on the rural economy of the Niger Delta region.
By creating jobs and injecting funds into the economy, the project aims to reduce poverty and promote economic growth and development.
The project is also expected to promote social inclusion and bring prosperity to the rural communities.
Stakeholders, including the NDDC and the Rivers State Government, have expressed their commitment to supporting the project.
The NDDC Director of Agriculture and Fisheries, Stella Manureh, represented by Winifred, commended the selection process and congratulated the beneficiaries.
She reiterated the responsibilities on both the incubators and incubatees and urged the incubators to be proud of grooming the next generation of agripreneurs in the oil region.
The LIFE-ND project is a significant initiative that aimed to promote economic growth and development in the Niger Delta region.
With the creation of 26,100 jobs and the injection of $40 million into the rural economy, the project is expected to have a positive impact on the lives of youths and women in the region.
The expansion of the project to three additional states funded by NDDC is a welcome development, and it is expected that the project will continue to make a significant impact in the region.
