From Maduabuchi Nmeribeh, Kano
Kano state Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, at the weekend, charged the 1,400 beneficiaries of the Agro-Processing, Productivity, Enhancement, and Livelihood Improvement Support (APPEALS) Project who graduated from a two-week training organized by the Centre for Dryland Agriculture (CDA), Bayero University Kano (BUK), to make judicious use of the resources provided for them to start up agro-related businesses or face legal consequences.
The AUTHORITY reports that the World Bank in partnership with Federal Government and state governments, has earmarked $200 million to empower 60, 000 beneficiaries, who are expected to ensure employment for about 360, 000 people through various value chain farming.
CDA, however, trained 1, 400 APPEALS Project beneficiaries who were drawn from Kogi, Kano and Kaduna states, on rice production, fisheries and poultry farming, who are now qualified to benefit from the World Bank grant, designed to create employment for youths and women.
Ganduje who spoke through his Deputy and chairman of Kano Committee of the APPEALS Project, Dr. Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna, reminded the beneficiaries that they have signed agreement with the state governments, Federal Government and the World Bank on empowering themselves and other Nigerians, appealing to them to make good use of the opportunity.
He said government has devised a methodology of monitoring how they make adequate use of whatever resources or packages given to them to start up their own businesses.
Speaking on behalf of Gawuna, his Senior Special Assistant on Administration, Alhaji Mustapha Yusuf Abubakar said, “I stand here to represent the Deputy Governor, who was supposed to represent His Excellency, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, but was unavoidably absent.
“You, the beneficiaries of this laudable project were chosen for this programme, not because you are better than others. You are chosen because it is your fate and destiny to be here today.
“You are signing agreement with state governments, the Federal Government and the World Bank. Your businesses will be adequately monitored and supervised and legal action may be taken against any of you who misuse the resources. This training is the beginning of your journey to wealth and greatness. You have to use it to enhance the lives and wellbeing of other Nigerians.”
Also speaking, the National Coordinator of APPEALS Project, Dr. Aminu Babande who was represented by Dr. Salisu Garba, explained that the Project allowed the beneficiaries to merge in maximum of five as group to start up a particular business.
He reminded them that, “CDA did not fail you. You have received a lot of knowledge. Use the knowledge to build good businesses that are profitable and sustainable. Be reminded that your business development plan will surely pass through the World Bank test for approval. So build a business plan that can be funded and sustained.
Start up a business that will give other people the opportunity to gain employments and become self-reliant.”
In his remarks, the Director of CDA, Prof. Jubrin Muhammad Jubrin told the beneficiaries that, “from the report available to me, you have passed through rigorous trainings within the two weeks you spent here. You have learnt a lot from the various value chains.
“Each of you was selected among various people. If you scale through, you will be given support to start-up business. Whatever you are given is to develop the business you are going to set up and use it for the benefit of yourselves and others.
“Make good use of the opportunity the programme has availed you. On this note, I wish you success and Ii hope in the three years; we will be hearing success stories of people who started from this place. You will make it big. I wish you good luck.”
