By Kenneth Onuoha
The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) has engaged 50 unemployed persons in Ebonyi in its Agricultural Extension programme aimed at enhancing food security for the citizens.
Mr Abubakar Fikpo, Director-General of NDE, inaugurated the programme on Wednesday in Amaike Ezzamgbo, Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi.
Fikpo, represented by the NDE Coordinator in Ebonyi State, Mr Marcel Igboanude, said the one week training was designed to equipment the transactions with the relevant skills for agricultural extension services.
He noted that agriculture would remain the foundation of the Nigeria economy, despite the presence oil in the country.
According to the Director, agriculture provides over 35 percent of employment and 25 percent of overall real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the nation.
“This programme will expose the participants to the use of scientific and technology driven services of farming in order to guarantee disease free production.
“Also, to guarantee high quality yeild and stress free processing of agricultural products.
“The overall result will boost agricultural productivity, enhance food security, provide employment opportunities, improve rural livelihood and promote agriculture as an engine of economic growth,” Fikpo said.
He, however enjoined the trainees to exhibit more commitment to the training in order to make the best use of the opportunity and support the fight against unemployment.
“At this juncture, i thank the government of Ebonyi state for their support to NDE operations in the state,” he said.
Dr Mike Mbata, Director Rural Employment Promotion Department, Abuja, who was represented by Mr Paschal Edene, an NDE urged the participants to focued and make the good use of the training.
Mbata also urged the participants to take the training serious and support the Federal Government policies on sustainable agriculture as well as reducing unemployment.
Mary Okoro, a participant applauded the Directorate on behalf of other participants and appealed for adequate training arrangements to enable them put the knowledge of the training to practical use.