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1,020 Young Agripreneurs Benefit From LIFE-ND Additional Financing In Edo

Published

4 weeks ago

August 27, 2026

Over 1,000 young agricultural entrepreneurs in Edo State have benefited from the second batch of the Additional Financing of the Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises – Niger Delta (LIFE-ND) Project.

The 1,020 beneficiaries, also known as incubatees, were successful in the selection process among over 8,000 applicants drawn from 100 communities across the 10 implementation Local government areas under the Additional Financing phase of the LIFE-ND Project. Since inception, over 5,000 agricultural entrepreneurs have been trained and funded.

The project is being funded by the Federal Government of Nigeria, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), and participating state governments.

Addressing the incubatees at the orientation training in Benin on Thursday, National Coordinator of the project, Engr. Abiodun Sanni, urged them to become job creators and agents of development, rather than remain mere incubatees.

Sanni, who was represented by Mrs. Stella Manureh, said: “I urge you to see yourselves not merely as beneficiaries, but as agripreneurs, job creators, and agents of development. Your success will contribute not only to improving your livelihoods and those of your families, but also to food security, employment creation, and the growth of the rural economy.

“The first phase laid the foundation; this Additional Financing provides an opportunity to build on those achievements and create even greater impact.

“Together, we are building sustainable livelihoods, strengthening families, creating jobs, and contributing to a stronger and more prosperous Niger Delta and Nigeria.”

Director, NDDC, Edo State Office, Friday Ehiorobo, while encouraging the beneficiaries to look beyond subsistence and begin to see their chosen value chain as a viable business enterprise, said the “intervention is particularly important because agriculture is not only about food production. When properly supported, it is a powerful avenue for employment creation, income generation, poverty reduction and sustainable livelihood development, particularly for our young people and women.”

The director, who was represented by Clementina Osabuohien, added: “This aligns strongly with the development mandate of the Niger Delta Development Commission, which places importance on interventions that improve livelihoods and create sustainable economic opportunities for the people of the region.”

On his part, the State Coordinator of the project, John Omoruyi, urged the incubatees to “demonstrate commitment, integrity, innovation, and responsible use of every support provided through the project,” adding that “the knowledge and networks you gain here should translate into viable, sustainable, and profitable enterprises that contribute to the economic growth of Edo State.”

He further addressed the incubatees: “Your presence today reflects a shared commitment to strengthening agribusiness, promoting rural development, creating employment, and improving livelihoods across our communities in Edo State. This opportunity is a significant step toward developing your knowledge, skills, and confidence as agribusiness entrepreneurs.

“The incubation programme is designed to expose you to practical learning, mentorship, market-oriented production, business management, financial discipline, and the value-chain opportunities available within the agricultural sector.”

Also speaking, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Edo State, Bamaiyi R. Osedebamen, told the incubatees that “your inclusion is not only an opportunity to acquire technical and business skills; it is also a call to embrace enterprise, innovation, discipline, and responsibility.”

She added: “Through this training, you will be equipped with the knowledge and practical skills required to transform your ideas and resources into viable and profitable enterprises.

“This initiative is also in line with the vision of the Edo State Government under the SHINE agenda, particularly its commitment to human capital development, economic empowerment, social inclusion, and the creation of opportunities for citizens to prosper. As beneficiaries, you are expected to contribute meaningfully to the economic growth and development of Edo State.”

News

Six Corps Members Receive N10m Grants To Boost Agribusiness

Published

1 day ago

September 22, 2026

Editor

Six members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) have received a total of N10 million in grants to expand their agribusiness ventures under the Farmers for the Future Programme.

The programme was organised on Monday by the British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation (BATNF) in collaboration with the NYSC to encourage young Nigerians to embrace agriculture and develop sustainable businesses.

Presenting the cheques to the beneficiaries in Abuja, the NYSC Director-General, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, urged Corps members to maximise the opportunities provided by the service year by venturing into commodity marketing and other viable businesses.

Nafiu said agribusiness remained a viable avenue for young people to build sustainable enterprises, create employment and generate wealth.

He also stressed the importance of value addition to the success and sustainability of business ventures, while commending BATNF for placing Nigerian youths at the centre of its entrepreneurship initiatives through value-chain development, employment creation and its partnership with the NYSC.

“I charge you to spread the news around. We have seen the outcome, and it is a good idea,” he said.

The beneficiaries are Dominic Olufemi (FC/25C/1143), who received N3 million; Temitope Adewole (ED/26A/2251), N2 million; Abdulwaheed Bala (ED/25B/1402), N2 million; Olanike Mayungbe (OG/26B/1037), N1 million; Kingsley Udoeyen (KG/26A/1735), N1 million; and Lorember Lorsue (JG/25B/1742), N1 million.

Speaking on the selection process, the Acting Director, Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED), Mrs Winifred Shopeka, said the programme began with an online registration portal through which Corps Members engaged in agribusiness submitted their business plans.

She said nearly 3,000 Corps members applied and underwent a rigorous selection process that produced 20 finalists.

According to her, the finalists participated in a boot camp and a final pitching session, which produced the 10 best presenters before the six ultimate winners were selected.

Shopeka said the beneficiaries had also been mentored and attached to established market operators to assist them in marketing their products.

She added that Corps Members who did not make the final stage of the competition were also trained by BATNF.

The BATNF Team Lead, Mr Oludare Odusanya, congratulated the beneficiaries and urged Corps Members engaged in agribusiness to master the fundamentals and acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed.

“We are happy with our collaboration with the NYSC, and it will continue,” he said.

Odusanya explained that BATNF was an independent organisation established to contribute to poverty reduction in Nigeria through sustainable agricultural practices and other interventions.

He said the Farmers for the Future Programme was instituted in collaboration with the NYSC to encourage Corps Members to venture into agribusiness and become job creators.

He added that the beneficiaries would be attached to mentors who would guide them towards achieving success in their respective businesses.

According to him, the programme has, since its inception, continued to enhance the entrepreneurial capacity of Corps Members.

News

CBN Reduces Interest Rate To 23%

Published

1 day ago

September 22, 2026

Editor

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on Tuesday announced the reduction of the interest rate, also known as Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) to 23 percent.

Briefing the media in Abuja, the Governor of the CBN, Mr. Olayemi Cardoso, said at the 307th MPC meeting held on September 22, 2026 agreed the resetting of the MPR and recaliberation of the monetary policy market.

According to Cardoso, the committe is satisfied with the disinflation progress, adding that members noted stable banking sector following successful recapitalisation.

Meanwhile, according to Nigerian Tribune, reports that that the MPC, at its 306th meeting in July 2026, disclosed its resolution to retain the interets at 26.5 percent.

According to the Governor of the CBN, Olayemi Cardoso, “the Committee’s decision to maintain the current policy stance followed a thorough assessment of the balance of risks. Although headline inflation moderated marginally in June 2026, global uncertainties have heightened, due mainly to the renewed hostilities in the Middle East.

“In view of the evolving developments, maintaining a cautious monetary policy stance remains appropriate. In arriving at its decision, the Committee noted the recent resurgence of hostilities in the Middle East, with particular attention to its spillover effects on global energy prices and the potential pass-through to domestic inflation.”

News

NURTW: KWAM1 Settles Long-time Rift Between MC Oluomo, Tafa Sego

Published

1 day ago

September 22, 2026

Editor

Nigerian Fuji musician, Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, popularly known as KWAM1, has brokered a peace deal between the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) National President, Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo, and the Lagos State Chairman of the union, Mustapha Adekunle, aka Tafa Sego.

The reconciliation took place at Ojusagbola in Ijebu, Ogun State, where several NURTW chieftains gathered for the meeting.

The development was announced on Tuesday on KWAM1’s digital media page on Instagram, alongside photographs from the meeting.

According to the post, the two union leaders have resolved their differences after years of strained relations.

“After years of an age-long rift, MC Oluomo and Tafa Sego have finally settled their differences. And from what we know now, this is final,” the post said.

The musician was said to have intervened as the Mayegun of Yorubaland, with the aim of bringing an end to the longstanding disagreement between the two NURTW figures.

“K1 acted in his role as the Mayegun of Yorubaland by seeking an end to the long-standing rift, once and for all,” it said.

The post also described the meeting as a significant step beyond previous public displays of reconciliation.

“This time, it was not just another handshake for the cameras. The two old friends and colleagues came together at Ojusagbola, with King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (K1) playing the peacemaker.”

Both MC Oluomo and Tafa Sego were reported to be pleased with the outcome of the intervention.

“Both parties are delighted about the new development,” the post said.

The two men had previously been allies and prominent figures within the Lagos NURTW before their relationship became strained amid disagreements linked to leadership of the union in the state.