Recession: Lawmaker urges youth to embrace agriculture

A member representing Ussa state Constituency in the Taraba State House of Assembly, Hon. Habila Timothy has urged youth in the country to embrace agriculture and learn skills to take the country out of recession.

Habila gave the advise on Wednesday in Jalingo while addressing youth at the 2016 Youth Summit where he featured as the guest speaker.

Speaking on the topic; “the role of youth in tackling the challenges of massive poverty in Nigeria and engaging youth in grassroots to curb unemployment” Habila said the country was thrown into recession because of over dependence on import goods including rice that can be produce locally.

He urged the youth to embrace agriculture and take to small businesses and stop going after government jobs that are not readily available.

Habila who said Nigeria can be self sufficient through agricultural production because of the comparative advantage the country has in the sector hailed the federal government intervention for farmers through Anchor Borrower’s scheme and CBN partnership with Zenith Bank to assist farmers.

The lawmaker who also laud the Bank of Industrial Yes-Programme for youth called on them to massively key into the scheme, even as he called on government at all levels  to provide incentives for youth to go back to farm.

“I want to appeal to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, to intensify efforts in stopping the spread of hard drugs usage by our youth. The effects of drugs on the lives of our youth are so disastrous.

“You must shun vices that can damage your future as well as religious, ethnic and political sentiments. You should be patriotic and promote things that unite rather than divide us,” he urged.

Earlier, convener of the summit, Mr. Caleb Urerimam said Nigerian youth are resourceful, talented and hardworking and only need a push to rule the world and appeal to the people in positions of authority to support the youth in every way they could to enable them realize their potential.

He advised youth not to hide their talents and shun acts capable of breaching the unity and peace of the country, adding that as future leaders, Nigerian youth must be patriotic, responsible and positive in all they do.