Awka – Anambra Youths must take full advantage of the opportunities that abound in the Agricultural Sector to become self-reliant and unlock boundless economic `opportunites.
This was the opinion of youth leaders at a ceremony on Thursday, to mark the international youths’ day in Awka, Anambra State Capital.
The annual celebration which is marked the world over, to draw attention to the plight of youths and their contribution towards global peace and advancement, had as its theme for the year, ‘Transforming Food Systems: Youth Innovation for Human and Planetary Health.’
Speaking at the ceremony, the Anambra Commissioner for Youth Empowerment and Creative Economy, Professor Theresa Obiekezie advised the youths of the State to key into innovative government policies in agriculture targeted at boosting food sufficiency in Anambra State and Nigeria.
Professor Obiekezie highlighted the different financial facilities provided through the Anambra Small Business Agency, ASBA, Fisheries and Aquaculture Business Development Agency, FABDA, and other government agencies which young people can use to become self-reliant, create wealth and job opportunities through sustainable agricultural practices.
The State Chairman, National Youths Council of Nigeria, NYCN, Comrade Samuel Egwuatu explained that the ceremony was to raise the consciousness of Anambra youths on the agro-opportunities and how they can explore funding avenues for their agro-businesses.
“It is on record that the country’s economic fortunes are declining due to dependence on oil. All over the globe, nations are looking for alternative sources of foreign exchange and agriculture proves to be one of such. What we want to achieve especially through ceremonies like the one we are holding today, is to expose our youths to the various opportunities that abound for their development in the agricultural sector, and the channels they can explore to fund their businesses,” Egwuatu noted.
According to the Director General, Anambra State Digital Entrepreneurship Office, Engr Ifeanyi Aniagor, the state government had kick-started the process of engaging youths in Agriculture and technovation.
“In Anambra state, we already have that structure. The rice and other produce consumed here are produced here. The state government have also created the State Digital Entrepreneurship Office, where we create the avenue for youths to innovate and drive pursuits for excellence,” he said.
Aniagor commended the choice of the theme for the year’s celebration, describing it as apt in engendering the desired attitudinal change for the best, among youths.
In his words, “The theme came out of the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations and the essence is to look at youth innovation and activities that will help in increasing food production and other bio-diversity and poverty reduction activities that help increase human safety and planetary safety. So it is a wonderfully- thought-out theme. We are hopeful that with what Anambra has done in properly channeling the youths into gainful engagements, this ceremony will give impetus to the drive by our youths to begin to realize their potentials across relevant spheres,” he emphasized.
On her part, a youth, Miss Ifunanya Nwanadile noted that with the growing unavailability of white-collar jobs, Agriculture provides a veritable option for employment generation and youths engagement.
