Niger State government has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Federal Ministry of Youth Development to enhance food security by involving corps members posted to the state in agricultural activities.
The MoU was signed at the Government House in Minna on Tuesday, with Governor Mohammed Umaru-Bago representing Niger State and Minister for Youth Development, Jamila Bio-Ibrahim, signing on behalf of the ministry.
Governor Umaru-Bago noted that the agreement is in line with President Bola Tinubu’s vision for food security in Nigeria adding that the state would partner with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in youth empowerment and food production.
Speaking of the role of youth, who constitute 80% of Nigeria’s population, the governor urged them to venture into agriculture for self-reliance. He noted that harnessing the manpower of corps members would greatly benefit the state’s agricultural value chain.
The governor also disclosed plans for agricultural development in Niger State, including the construction of Africa’s largest greenhouse estate, which is aimed at to employ up to a million people, and the establishing a hundred farm estates with 250,000 hectares of land across the state’s 25 local government areas.
Minister Bio-Ibrahim commended the governor’s commitment to funding the construction of a new NYSC camp in Niger State, as well as his efforts to ensure the welfare of corps members.