The Federal Government/International Fund for Agricultural Development Programme (IFAD)-Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises in Niger Delta (LIFE-ND) has praised Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo for the payment of N147 million in counterpart funds by the state.
Mr. Sanni Abiodun, LIFE-ND National Project Coordinator, lauded Governor Obaseki’s efforts during an interview with the press on Monday in Abuja. He noted that LIFE-ND supports Nigeria’s agricultural policy and the strategic framework for youth employment and job creation.
Abiodun highlighted that among the six participating states, Obaseki was the first governor to pay the counterpart funds for 2022, 2023, and 2024, setting a precedent for others. He urged other participating states—Abia, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, and Ondo—to follow Edo’s example.
Mr. John Omoruyi, Edo State Project Coordinator, explained that the N147 million payment would enable the project to access additional funds for transforming the rural economy through agribusiness in Edo. Omoruyi emphasized that this move by Obaseki’s administration would contribute to economic growth, enhance food security, reduce poverty, and empower rural communities.
“So far, the state, through the project, has created jobs for 2,348 women and youth enterprises out of the targeted 4,250 across the 10 participating Local Government Areas and 100 communities,” Omoruyi said. “The release of this counterpart fund will further create employment for over 2,500 women and youths targeted for 2024, while also boosting agricultural productivity and value addition in rice, cassava, poultry, and fishery value chains.”
He noted that the LIFE-ND project supports the state government’s efforts to promote food security and job creation for women and youths. “Obaseki has reaffirmed his commitment to sustainable development in the agricultural sector by promoting modern farming techniques, supporting smallholder farmers, encouraging value addition, and fostering agribusiness innovations,” Omoruyi added.
The LIFE-ND initiative responds to the limited opportunities for disadvantaged youths and women in rural and suburban areas to improve their livelihoods. The project promotes community-based on-farm and off-farm business activities along key agricultural value chains as a mechanism for job creation among unemployed and underemployed youths and women-headed households.
