By Martha Nuhu Jos, Dec. 5, 2022 (NAN)


 The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) says it has empowered 43 people in Plateau with N100, 000 cash each under its Agric Rural Employment Promotion (REP-LOAN) scheme.

The State Coordinator of NDE, Malam Ibrahim Abdulazeez, said this while interacting with the beneficiaries on Monday in Jos.

He said that the REP Department of the directorate through its Graduate Agricultural Employment Scheme, Agricultural Enhancement Scheme and others has been empowering citizens in the country.

Abdulazeez reminded the beneficiaries that the loans were not a ‘national cake’ hence the need for the funds to be judiciously utilised and repaid as and at when due.

“I want to congratulate you as the beneficiaries of this grant after months of rigorous training on different fields of agricultural business.

“However, I want you to remain focused and ensure that you do well in the business you are embarking on.

“This loan is not a grant or a national cake. You are expected to start paying back after six months of receiving it.

“I charge you to adopt modern ways of farming which will yield more for you, thereby increasing your income and creating employment for others.

“We expect that at the end of the day, you will create over a hundred employment from this.

Abdulazeez said that the scheme, implemented across the 36 states and the FCT and the fourth to be carried out in Plateau, was part of Federal Government’s efforts to eradicate poverty and create employment to Nigerians.

In a goodwill message, an agricultural expert, Mr Gyang Jidauna, charged the beneficiaries to incorporate climate smart techniques in their agric business to boost yield.

According to Jidauna, the scheme is aimed at improving their livelihood by lifting them out of poverty for a positive change in the society.

On her part, the Head, Department of REP in the state, Mrs Asabe Lassa, called on the beneficiaries to manage the loans as prescribed by the NDE.

She promised to monitor and track their growth.

A beneficiary, Mr Jerome Yakubu, on behalf of the participants thanked the NDE for the programme.

He pledged to utilise what he had been given to become self-sufficient and an employer of labour.