Ohanaeze Ndigbo Seek Buhari and Igbo Governors Partnership to Revamp Dr Michael Okpara’s Farm Settlements in South East, laud Umahi and Ikpeazu Agricultural Models as Abia Agricultural Youth empowerment creates 40,000 Jobs for the Youths. This was disclosed in a press statement released to the Herald on Thursday, March 5, 2020, by the President General Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, and the Secretary-General, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike.
“Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide had initiated moves to Revamp the old Farm Settlements built in the South East by the Former Premier of Old Eastern Region, late Dr Michael Okpara and also initiated talks with Israeli Agricultural giant Company through an Abia Born Agric Expert and Consultant to establish a new mechanized Modern new Farm Settlement in line with National Livestock Transformation programme, that will create about 500,000 jobs for the Igbo Youths across 95 Lgas of Southeast.
“OYC through her Partner had secured approval from President Muhammadu Buhari in the recent past but will engage South-East Governors on the establishment of Regional Mechanized Farm Settlements, which will be a private-public business Venture, with expectations of a Green House and a dairy farm capable of producing 1.5m litres of Israeli cow milk annually.
“OYC laud Governors Dave Umahi and Okezie Ikpeazu, agricultural models in Ebonyi and Abia States, where Abakiliki rice remains a household name in the country.
“With the recent closure of land borders in Nigeria, millions of Eboyians had been empowered through the agricultural empowerment programmes of Ebonyi State Government and in Abia State.
“Governor Okezie Ikpeazu had created 40,000 Jobs through Agricultural Youth empowerment programmes, the government trained about 4000 youths in various agricultural skills in partnership with National Roots Research Corp Institute Umudike, Ikwuano Abia and Federal Ministry of Agriculture.
“The government also approved to pay the counterpart funds 50million which was passed into law by Abia State House of Assembly to Bank of Agriculture for the assessment of soft loans of 250,000Naira capital investment for each youth that participated in the agricultural training, with Bank of Agriculture.
“OYC had Confirmed that about 4000 Youths will benefit from the Agricultural soft loan from Bank of Agriculture. We expect that 4000 Youths will employ 10 Youths each which will create additional 40000 jobs, We Urge the Government to do the needful ahead of April 2020 farming season.
READ ALSO: Witness Narrates How N200m Cash Was Moved From Fayose’s Residence
“OYC insists that through Southeast Regional Mechanized Farm Settlements, it will not only make southeast self-sufficient and guarantee food security, but it will end kidnapping, yahoo business, quick wealth syndrome and other social vices.
“The diary section of the proposed farm settlement, but will end the nefarious activities of Fulani herdsmen which use cattle conveyance by foot to wreak havoc on our farms, encourage homegrown species of Igbo cattle for our patronage.