B00M: No More Grants For Youths -FG | READ DETAILS

The Minister, who was represented by an Assistant Director of Vocational Skills in the ministry, Adamu Usman Kaina, made this known in Awka, Anambra State, at the end of a two-day workshop organized by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Ibadan, in conjunction with the National Root Crops Research Institute Umudike/International Fund for Agricultural Development.

The workshop was tagged; "Challenges and opportunities for rural youth employment in Sub-Saharan Africa: A mixed-method study to inform policy and development programmes.ÔÇØ

According to the Minister, the Federal government decided on 'no more grants for the youth', instead they will be given repayable loans which will be paid back to the government after an agreed duration to enable others have access to same scheme.

Dare said, this was because previous grants given to the youths were misappropriated and in most cases, squandered.

He noted that the Federal Government had created several windows to engage the youth in agriculture and other vocations through the establishment of two centres in the north and south.

He therefore, called on well-spirited individuals and corporate bodies to partner with the government, for the empowerment of the youth across the federation, adding that the youth, should have a mindset of creating value for themselves.

Speaking, the Gender and Social Scientist, IITA and IFAD-IDS Youth Research Project Lead/Representative (Nigeria), Dr. Bela Teeken, said, some of the problems identified as confronting the youths included lack of access to agricultural loan, poor transportation facilities and multiple taxations.