The Federal Government said it would engage 740,000 youths in various agricultural programmes to reduce unemployment across the country. Hajiya Asabe Ahmed, Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, made this promise at PDP Women Rally in Minna. She said the programme would commence in April with 20,000 youths across the 36 states of the Federation.
Ahmed said the participants would include both females and males of all educational levels as well as 100 employed graduates programme. “This federal initiative will give unemployed youths the opportunity to become employers of labour. It is an opportunity for youths to be engaged in different forms of farming’’, she said.
Earlier, Sen. Zainab Kure (PDP-Niger East), called on women to vote for the PDP, and also urged them to be conscious of their political positions in order to excel. Kure lauded President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration for the opportunity given to women to hold political offices.
“Our votes will be for PDP, as women, we should know that there is wisdom in continuity. I commend the President for the opportunity he has given women in his administration. To whom much is given, much is expected”, she added.
Hajiya Jummai Aliyu, wife of Niger State Governor, said the State Government had given 40 per cent opportunity for women to serve in the present administration.
Aliyu disclosed that 291 women from 25 Local Government Areas of the state were undergoing training in different skills acquisition through the SURE-P. Under the present administration, we have had first female judges, first minister of state”, she said.
