By Henry Ibya, Makurdi
Benue State Government through its Agricultural Development Company, ADC, has organized a live television programme for youths in the state to showcase their talents in the agricultural value chain.
The two-day event which commenced Saturday in Makurdi, tagged ‘Food Value Hunt’ an initiative of Governor Hyacinth Alia, according to the managing director of ADC, Donald Akule, the programme targets 120 youths across the state and it is aimed at empowering youths through mentorship training, soft loans and grant.
Akule revealed that Governor Alia is interested in seeing that young people in agricultural value chain have talents and skills, willing to project same to add value to the state.
He also disclosed that the governor has powered the initiative as ADC is driving the programme through its partners including non-state actors to see that the dream of harnessing the young people as envisioned by the governor come to fruition, revealing that government intends to capture 120 youths.
Akule also revealed that government has brought the programme to harness the potentials of Benue youths, promote sustainable agricultural development with the aim to identify, nurture and empower young agricultural entrepreneurs between the ages of 10-30.
According to the ADC boss, the Food Value Hunt; a movement designed to awaken the entrepreneurial spirit in the Benue youth by providing a platform for them to showcase innovative ideas, skills and passion for agriculture will foster a culture of entrepreneurship, promote innovation in agriculture, develop the skills and knowledge of young agricultural entrepreneurs, promote sustainable agricultural practices, enhance food security as well as create job opportunities to stimulate economic growth.
He further explained the live television programme is scheduled to come up in the cause of the year with the auditioning currently ongoing, adding that it will have twelve episodes with each featuring 10 persons to be empowered through various empowerment schemes to be made available by government.
Akule also announced that the programme will have participatory audience with the aim for interaction, adding that under this segment, government has targeted about 400 people within the ages of 18-35, and a VIP of 100 persons, and revealed that in the cause of the programme, those who will key into it would be exposed to opportunities offered by the Bank of Industry, loan and grant facility made available by government and a data base created for them to access opportunities in the agricultural sector.
He outlined other objectives of the programme to include helping people develop their talents as well as speaking for the vioceless, pointing out that the platform would equally give such up coming entrepreneurs the visibility they deserves.
The M/D, ADC who said Governor Alia’s administration is harnessing resources of the state to empower the next generation, disclosed that government equally intends to project a leadership of integrity, adding that he is willing to give back to the people who gave him the mandate and called for support of the people.