News

NDE DG Affirms Commitment to Job Creation, Trains 100 Plateau Farmers in Agribusiness

Published

3 years ago

October 18, 2023

vicky

In a resounding declaration of its unwavering commitment to job creation, the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) witnessed a significant moment on Tuesday. The Director General of NDE, Malam Nuhu Abubakar Fikpo, assured Nigerians of the agency’s dedication to this noble cause.

Malam Fikpo made the remarks at the flag off of a five-day training of 100 farmers under the NDE’s Sustainable Agricultural Development Training Scheme (SADTS) of its Rural Employment Promotion (REP) department, held in Jos.

He said the NDE had, over the years, vigorously pursued its mandate through series of employment generation initiatives, and “has remained focused, proactive and poised to continue to sustain the fight against unemployment through the promotion of self-employment initiatives.”

Represented by Plateau State Coordinator of NDE, Mrs Asabe Ayuba Lassa, Malam Fikpo said the SADTS’ training programme in the agricultural value chain was aimed at of enhancing production, storage, processing, preservation and packaging.

Director Department of Rural Employment Promotion (REP), Mr. Edem Duke, said the Directorate would provide soft loans to best performing trainees to start their agribusiness.

Represented by Mrs Tola Oladele, Mr. Duke said: “It is based on the successful completion of your trainings that you may be given loan to establish Agribusinesses of your choice.”

Related Topics:NDE DG Affirms Commitment to Job Creation NDE trains 100 Plateau farmers in agribusiness

Up Next

Court Revokes Bail of Suspected Organ Harvester in Plateau

Don't Miss

Plateau State Police Arrest Officers Accused of Extorting Journalists

Click to comment

Business

Shettima Urges African Leaders to Process Minerals Locally

Published

11 minutes ago

September 23, 2026

Preport

Vice President Kashim Shettima has called on African countries to reduce their dependence on the export of raw mineral resources and focus more on local processing and industrialisation.

Shettima made the call in New York while representing President Bola Tinubu at the Third High-Level Roundtable of the Africa Minerals Strategy Group, held on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly.

He said Africa needed to move beyond its traditional role as a supplier of raw materials and develop industries capable of processing its mineral resources within the continent.

According to the Vice President, greater local processing would help African countries create jobs, strengthen industries and retain more value from their natural resources.

Shettima also called for stronger cooperation among African countries, including the development of regional processing hubs, integrated markets and cross-border mineral corridors.

He cautioned against competition among African nations for foreign investment through lower royalties, weaker local-content requirements and excessive concessions, arguing that stronger continental coordination would improve Africa’s bargaining position in global mineral supply chains.

The Vice President said Africa could not continue to consider itself wealthy because of its mineral resources while communities located around mineral deposits remained poor and lacked adequate economic opportunities.

He also highlighted reforms in Nigeria’s mining sector, including efforts to improve geological data, formalise artisanal mining, promote local value addition and tackle illegal mining.

Shettima pointed to developments in lithium processing in Nasarawa State as an example of the opportunities available when mineral resources are processed locally.

He further backed the Africa Minerals Strategy Group’s Mutual Assured Development Framework, which promotes predictable policies, credible institutions, responsible investment, technology transfer and local value creation.

The Minister of Solid Minerals Development and Chairman of the Africa Minerals Strategy Group, Dele Alake, also proposed the establishment of an African Artisanal Mining Formalisation and Safety Facility.

The discussions formed part of broader efforts to develop strategies that would enable African countries to derive greater economic benefits from the continent’s mineral wealth.

News

Michael Kayode Explains Why He Chose Italy Over Nigeria

Published

20 minutes ago

September 23, 2026

Preport

Brentford defender Michael Kayode has revealed that choosing to represent Italy instead of Nigeria was an easy decision for him.

The 22-year-old, who was born in Borgomanero, Italy, to Nigerian parents, has received his first senior call-up to the Italian national team after representing the country at youth levels.

Speaking at a press conference, Kayode said Nigeria had approached him about representing the Super Eagles but he never seriously considered switching his international allegiance.

“It was a very easy decision. I went through all the youth teams here. Nigeria approached me, but I never thought about changing national teams,” he said.

The defender said representing Italy was an honour, having progressed through the country’s youth teams.

Kayode previously played for Italy’s Under-18, Under-19 and Under-21 teams. He was part of the Italy Under-19 side that won the European Championship in 2023, scoring the winning goal against Portugal in the final.

He also revealed that he only learnt about his senior call-up after Brentford’s Premier League victory over Chelsea, saying he discovered the news on his phone at the final whistle.

Kayode joined Brentford from Fiorentina, initially on loan in January 2025, before making the move permanent. He signed a new long-term contract with the English club in July 2026, keeping him at Brentford until 2032, with an option for another year.

His first senior Italy call-up marks the latest step in a career that has seen him progress from Italian youth football to the Premier League.