Kwara govt to partner BOA for soft agriculture loan for youth
The Kwara state government, through the Ministry of Youth Development, has said it is partnering with the Bank of Agriculture (BOA), Ilorin branch, on soft loans for youths in the state to enhance their support in agriculture.
The Commissioner for Youths Development, Amb. Shehu Usman Ndanusa made this known after meeting with the director of BOA, Mr Tomori Maruf, in Ilorin, the state capital.
The Director, Mr Tomori Maruf, while disclosing that the establishment has a series of loans available for youths in agriculture who meet the requirements, also outlined the various facilities of the bank, including the Youths Agricultural Revolution in Nigeria (YARN), which is for men, Grow and Earn More (GEM) and Women in Agricultural Enterprise (WAE) for women, which are all programmes aimed at empowering youths.
Ndanusa, while featuring on a radio program tagged “Ijoba Mekunu,” reiterated the government’s commitment to empowering youths through skills acquisition to support entrepreneurship and reduce unemployment in the State.
The Commissioner, who also received the Minister of Youths Development, Hon. Ayodele Olawande Wisdom to the State, recently noted that the Minister was impressed with the level of youth inclusion in the affairs of the State government.
The Commissioner also emphasised that the government of Kwara State has implemented various programs and policies to support youth development, addressing challenges such as unemployment, lack of education, skills development, and other social issues.
He said, “Kwara State has invested in skills acquisition centres to equip young people with marketable skills, especially in areas like ICT, crafts, and other vocational skills, such as the Kwara State Innovation Hub, which is a tech hub aimed at fostering innovation and supporting tech-savvy youths with mentorship, workspace, and resources to launch start-ups and digital projects.
The Commissioner, however, enjoined the youths to be self-employed and skills-oriented, advising them to focus on learning a trade, technical skill, or creative ability, empowering them to take control of their futures, create opportunities, and contribute positively to the economy.
