Abia State chapter of Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprise for Niger Delta (LIFE-ND), yesterday, signed a memorandum of understanding with 25 business owners called Incubators or Agro Entrepreneurs for the training of potential persons.
The Life-ND is a Federal Government initiative in collaboration with participating states in the Niger Delta region with support from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) to revive the rural economy through agribusinesses in the country.
Speaking during the MOU signing ceremony in Umuahia, Abia State, LIFE-ND Project Coordinator, Dr Uchenna Onyeizu, told the incubators that they would be supported to train the potential farmers who would, after their training in various agricultural enterprises, be empowered to start their own enterprise.
“We will use your facilities to train our ‘incubatees,’ after which you will be paid some stipend for your service.”
Chairman of the state Steering Committee and Commissioner for Agriculture, Professor Ikechi Mgboji, tasked the incubators on executing their assignment desirably, describing Life-END initiative as a collaboration of the Federal Government and states in the Niger-Delta to create job opportunities for women and youths.
A participant and former state Commissioner for Works, Mr Longman Emeka Nwachukwu, who owns Ohiya Farms, said that it would be a win-win project if real agric entrepreneurs are identified and supported, stressing that if done sustainably, the country would become a major exporter of produce very soon.
THE GUARDIAN NG
