The Federal Government has disclosed plans to launch three empowerment projects in January 2025 aimed at boosting economic opportunities for Nigerians.
This was revealed in a statement by the Director of Information and Public Relations of the Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Rhoda Iliya.
According to the statement, the Honourable Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Yusuf Tanko Sununu, made the disclosure during a courtesy visit to the Plateau State Deputy Governor, Her Excellency Josephine Piyo, in Jos.
Dr. Sununu outlined the projects to include agricultural innovation aimed at promoting green farming, automobile maintenance training for youths with starter packs, and renewable energy training centered on solar installations and related businesses.
“These initiatives will empower millions of Nigerians by equipping them with the skills and resources to become self-reliant. It is part of the Federal Government’s commitment to tackling poverty and creating sustainable livelihoods,” he said.
The Minister also called on the Plateau State Government to support the Ministry in implementing the projects successfully in the state.
Dr. Sununu further highlighted the importance of collaboration between the Federal Government, state governments, and international partners to ensure the effective delivery of humanitarian services and poverty alleviation programs across the country.
Presently, every state is handling Humanitarian issues in different ways and there is need to have a coordinated approach.
The only way is to have a Council that will draft a policy that will carry everybody along for everyone to have a sense of belonging” he said.
He noted that Plateau state is one of the states that have suffered a lot of crises and displacement of people and there is need for the State government to establish the State Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction to coordinate the Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction issues in the state.
Dr Sununu told the Deputy Governor that he was in the state and his team on an advocacy visit to establish a good working relationship between the Ministry and the State Government.
“There is need for collaboration between the Ministry, State Governments and International Partners to pull resources together to impact the Lives of the Internally Displaced Persons, Refugees, vulnerable persons and persons of concern”.
*He was also in the state to provide relief materials to IDPs as well as flag off harvest of Renewed Hope Agricultural Empowerment Project for IDPs .
He thanked the state government for providing 200 hectares of land through one of the sons of the state where IDPs were organized to improve their farming skills.
“The agric project is sponsored by the National Commission for Refugees Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI).
“It will serve as a stop gap, as the IDPs are been disengaged and resettled in their communities, they have skills and what they can rely on.
“The Minister also disclosed that the Ministry will embark on three projects starting in January 2025 aimed at empowering Nigerians. These include Agricultural innovation that will empower millions of Nigerians in green farming; Automobile
“Maintenance where the youths will be trained and given starter packs and Renewable Energy where Nigerians will be trained on solar installations and other solar businesses.
He called for the support of the Plateau government towards achieving the projects in the state.
“He also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the State government on the appointment of the Honourable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Prof Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda who is the illustrious son of the state, by this appointment the Ministry will have a strong collaboration with the state to deliver dividend of democracy for Nigerians.
“The Executive Governor of Plateau State, Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang who was represented by the Deputy Governor Her Excellency, Josephine Piyo, appreciated Mr President and his wife for showing care and love for vulnerable citizens in the country and for the appointment of the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction Prof Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda who is an indigene of the state.
“He acknowledged that the state has a lot of displaced persons and will collaborate with the Ministry to ensure all the programmes of the Ministry succeed in Plateau State.”
