The technical interventions and empowerment programme by the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure is targeting one hundred Nigerian youths from each of the six geo-political zone of the country as beneficiaries.
On Monday, the agency, had in Birnin Kebbi, the Kebbi State capital, commenced the implementation of a presidential directive on the introduction of modern techniques into farming and all agricultural practices.
The directive, according to a statement signed by the agency’s Deputy Director, Information, Mr Olusegun Ayeoyenikan, was issued by the President Muhammadu Buhari , to the Executive Vice Chairman NASENI, Prof Mohammed Haruna.
The statement quoted Haruna as saying, at the commencement programme, that the “exercise was a mission accomplished and a sign of the seriousness of the administration to empower youths and also to lift Nigeria’s agriculture away from mere subsistence.”
He said all the developed countries of the world began with agriculture and later became great because they introduced modern techniques, science and innovations into the practice in their journey to industrialisation.
The Chairman of the occasion who also is the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, was also quoted as saying that the President was determined to tackle the high rate of youth unemployment, poverty, and especially food insecurity.
He said, “The target of 100 youths per geo-political zone of the country was essential to take the youth off the streets, address youth restiveness and increase food security and the introduction of modern farming practices in form of quick adaptation of modern technology in order to make agriculture very attractive to young people.”
