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In a bid to ensure food security, employment generation and reduction in crime rate in the country, the National Directorate of Employment, NDE, has empowered 42 beneficiaries comprising of youths and women to boost agro-business in oyo state.

The beneficiaries of the Rural Agricultural Promotion, REP Loans Scheme were drawn from four schemes namely Agric-Business Empowerment Schemes (AES) Sustainable Agriculture Development Empowerment Scheme (SADES), Community-Based Agricultural Empowerment Scheme (CBAES), and Graduate Agricultural Empowerment Scheme (GAES).

Speaking at the event, the Oyo State coordinator, Mrs. Olayinka Olayemi who represented the NDE D.G. Mallam. Abubakar Nuhu Fikpo, noted the empowerment scheme was part of the federal government programme across the country aimed at fighting poverty and Joblessness to standstill.

He noted that over the years, the directorate had effectively utilized various REP schemes such as AES, SADES, CBAES, GAES, to lift many out of poverty and turn around the fortune of the country,s agric sector.

The D.G. described the agricultural sector as a hidden goldmine and advised the teeming unemployed persons in the country to embrace Agriculture which accordingly to him has lots of value chain to enhance their lives.

Also speaking, Mrs Dupe John Paul, who represented, the REP acting Director, Edem Duke, expressed hope that the disbursement will trigger micro-economic growth as well as help the beneficiaries to start up or expand on their existing agro-business.

The Head of Department REP, NDEOyo State, Mr. Adedoja Kabiru, appealed to the beneficiaries to seize the opportunity to reduce poverty and create more wealth in the country and assured that the NDE will continue to give the needed support to boost Agric business growth and food sufficiency in the country.