By Henry Ibya, Makurdi
Benue State has launched an innovative program to distribute 10,000 nursery palm trees to empower its youth, courtesy of a donation from Sylvanus Gasara, CEO of Nigerchen Nig. Limited.
The initiative aligns with Governor Hyacinth Alia’s youth empowerment program, aiming to provide opportunities for young people to become millionaires through palm tree cultivation.
Speaking during the launch, Gasara emphasized the potential for palm trees to produce three times a year, ensuring a steady income stream for the youth.
He expressed his desire to empower the youth by providing them with opportunities to plant palm trees and become millionaires in the future.
Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Youth, Mobilization, and Empowerment, Moses Mkeenen, praised the initiative and encouraged Benue citizens in the diaspora to support the program.
He highlighted the potential for Benue youth to become wealthy through the project and thanked the Governor for the initiative and the donor for his gesture.
Mkeenen emphasized the importance of taking the project seriously and encouraged the youth to seize the opportunity to become successful millionaires, noting that the palm trees have the capacity to produce three times a year, making them a lucrative venture for the youth.
Chairman of the occasion, Barnabas Gemade, praised the initiative and shared his own success story of planting palm trees 30 years ago.
Gemade, who was represented by a former Speaker of the House of Assembly in the State and serving Commissioner for Youths, Terkimbi Ikyange, expressed optimism that the project would have impact on the youth.
Gemade donated 1000 stands as his contribution to the project, while other dignitaries, including Commissioner for Finance, Michael Oglegba, expressed support and donated 1000 stands to ensure every youth benefits from the opportunity.