FG intervention project inaugurates 40-member youth advocacy group in Edo

The Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises – Niger Delta (LIFE-ND) project on Tuesday inaugurated a 40-member youth advocacy group to respond to challenges facing agri-business operators in its participating rural communities in Edo.

Our correspondent reports that LIFE-ND, a Federal Government intervention project, is being funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the Federal Government and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

During the inauguration of the group, the state Rural Institution Gender and Youth Officer, Mrs Eunice Ogieva, said the group’s establishment was a further step to sustain LIFE-ND project impact in communities.

Ogieva said that the group was expected to increase capacity of rural institutions to identify and address infrastructure, policy and regulatory challenges confronting agri-business owners.

She said that the members of the group were selected from the benefitting communities, Ministry of Youths and NGOs

”This activity would respond to the core principles of engagement of IFAD’s strategic framework.

“The group shall be strengthened to promote the image of agriculture as a business among the rural youths within and outside the Niger Delta region and also stimulate private investments,” she said.

Ogieva explained that the project was designed to enhance income, food security and job creation for the rural youth and women through agri-business development on a sustainable basis in the Niger Delta.

She noted that the project had supported rural agri-business production and improved access to market.

According to her, the project is operating in nine Niger Delta states and in 10 communities in Edo.