NEWS
Abia State Govt Reaffirms Commitment to Empowering Youths Trained in Osun Agricultural Programme
…as Agric Commissioner, Dr. Clif Agbaeze Says “Govt Has Not Abandoned You“
The Abia State Government has restated its unwavering commitment to the welfare, empowerment, and sustainable integration of youths who participated in the Agricultural Training Programme in Osun State, dismissing claims in certain quarters suggesting that the beneficiaries had been abandoned by the government.
The clarification was made by the Honourable Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Cliff Agbaeze, FCIB, while reacting to reports circulating on social media concerning the status and welfare of the trainees.
Dr. Agbaeze explained that the initiative was carefully designed by the administration of Governor Alex Otti as part of its broader vision to equip Abia youths with practical Agricultural and entrepreneurial skills that would drive food security, promote self-reliance, create employment opportunities, and stimulate economic growth across the State.
He noted that the government is currently finalising the necessary framework that would ensure the effective integration of the beneficiaries into the administration’s ongoing agricultural and youth empowerment programmes in a manner that is both impactful and sustainable.
The Commissioner recalled that in 2024, the State Government successfully trained over 300 Abia youths at CSS Farms in Nasarawa State and subsequently empowered them with support packages worth up to ₦2.3 million each to establish Agricultural enterprises.
According to him, many of the beneficiaries are currently thriving in their various Agricultural ventures, contributing meaningfully to food production and economic development.
Dr. Agbaeze further revealed that through the LIFE-ND Programme, the government has already trained and empowered more than 4,000 youth incubatees across various Agricultural value chains in the State. He added that barely three weeks ago, another batch of 276 youth incubatees graduated from the programme and received initial working capital support of about ₦500,000 each to kick-start their businesses.
He emphasized that the empowerment of the 28 youths trained in Osun remains an integral part of the administration’s larger Agricultural transformation and youth development agenda.
According to him, the government is determined to integrate the beneficiaries into a more coordinated and structured empowerment framework instead of handling the initiative in isolation.
The Commissioner also disclosed that some of the trainees had personally contacted him through visits and phone conversations to seek clarification regarding the rumours making the rounds. He assured them that the government remains fully committed to addressing their concerns and ensuring that they benefit from the empowerment plans already being developed.
While appealing to the beneficiaries to remain calm and patient as the necessary administrative processes are being concluded, Dr. Agbaeze cautioned youths against allowing themselves to be manipulated by desperate political actors seeking to spread misinformation and propaganda.
He reiterated that the administration of Governor Alex Otti remains resolute in fulfilling its promises to the people of Abia State, particularly in the critical areas of youth empowerment, Agricultural transformation, economic development, and sustainable job creation.