Leventis Foundation, NYSC sign MoU to empower youths in agriculture

Leventis Foundation Nigeria (LFN) and the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Department of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC-SAED) have signed an MoU to empower Nigerian youths.

The organisations signed the agreement on Monday at the Leventis Foundation Training School in Abuja.

The Director of Leventis Foundation Nigeria, Dr. Hope Usieta who was represented by, Mr. Femi Oyedeji, General manager of Finance and Administration of LFN, revealed that the collaboration is designed to be implemented within the framework of the NYSC youth service year.

According to him, “Leventis Foundation will open its six (6) agricultural training institutes to some corps members who will undergo agricultural training internship for one year as part of their one-year mandatory youth service.

Usieta, further stated that he is delighted with the partnership as the foundation has continually demonstrated commitment to supporting and developing communities since its 32 years of existence.

In his words, the director stated, “In our 32 years of existence, the Leventis Foundation has committed resources and worked closely with other instructions to drive societal development and livelihood improvement, supporting the restoration and conservation of cultural heritage, supporting universities, and providing scholarships; establishment of museums and libraries, intervened in the health sector and championing environmental protection and conservation”.

However, despite its numerous contributions in various sectors, Usieta revealed that the foundation’s main mission is hinged on developing Nigerian youths in agriculture.

To this effect, he further stated that the foundation has trained more than 27,000 youths under the one-year regular training programme and short courses.

“However, our core activity in Nigeria is centered on agricultural development, where we have established 6 agricultural training schools across Nigeria.

“Our mission here has been to attract youths into agriculture as well as train and support them to adopt improved, eco-friendly farming practices and technology aimed at reducing drudgery while increasing the national food basket, and ensuring an enhanced sustainable livelihood for the farming families.

“To date, Leventis Foundation Nigeria has trained more than 27,000 youths under the one-year regular training program and short courses”, he said.

On the other hand, the chairman, LFN, Alh. Ahmed Mantey who was present but whose speech was given by the General Manager, Technical and Training, LFN, Mr. Felix Obinyan noted that the collaboration was a welcome idea while stating that the foundation’s goal is to promote sustainability in agriculture and food production.

Mantey also appreciated the NYSC-SAED for identifying the foundation’s strength in youth empowerment and their willingness to collaborate to achieve a shared goal.

Meanwhile, Mantey revealed that apart from the yearly training done by the foundation on agriculture, the foundation is involved with numerous events also aimed at improving food security and poverty alleviation programs through sustainable agriculture.

Adding that this involvement has yielded several achievements for the foundation.

The chairman noted, “Leventis foundation has over three decades, trained youths 27,000 youths in Agriculture, through our yearly training and we would like to inform our distinguish guests that apart from the regular one-year training in our schools, the foundation has also been involved in various events that are also aimed at improving food security and poverty alleviation programs through sustainable agriculture.

Some of our achievements among others are “In partnership with the food and agricultural organizations of the United Nations, FAO, under the food Africa project, Leventis Foundation Nigeria trained farmers in Kaduna state on best agronomy practices that were also for about 6 months that we train farmers particularly in vegetable production across all the local government area of Kaduna state, he said”.

He continued, “The Leventis foundation also awards a full scholarship for MBA studies at the Alba graduate business school in Greece.

“The recipients of our 30th-anniversary agri-business speech who received money of 1 million nairas have made significant progress in their Agric businesses through mentoring, and monitoring by the Leventis Foundation, he noted.

On this note, the chairman revealed that the foundation has received several awards to include that the award of the captain of the industry by the Nigerian society of animal production, among others.

He, therefore, urged all corps members who will become beneficiaries to take advantage of the training as agriculture is the new gold mine in Nigeria.
Mantey said that it will serve as a good opportunity for entrepreneurial development, for youths in a country with a high unemployment rate.

Also speaking at the event was the Director-General, National Youth Service Corps, Brig. Gen. Shaibu Ibrahim stated that the collaboration with Leventis foundation is indeed a privilege and an opportunity for corp members to showcase their talent.

Ibrahim who further revealed that NYSC- SAED which was introduced in March 2021 to address unemployment in the country by teaching corps members skills, they will need to be self-employed in today’s harsh economy has also partnered with several agencies to carry out her objective.

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He stated, that the NYSC is currently on a national young farmer’s scheme special project with President Buhari for youths who are interested in agriculture.

Meanwhile, in an interview with newsmen, he noted that twenty-five (25) corps members will commence training with Leventis foundation across her six (6) centres.

He stated, “this is just the beginning. That is why we just signed an MoU today. 25 corps members will commence the training and as the chairman said, they have 6 centre scattered all over the country and other centres will be opened for corp members in the various zones where those facilities are located”.

He urged corps members to participate and take the training seriously as grants will be given to trainees who excel well during the program.

The director-general stated, “We have stakeholders who are willing to avail them of loans and I am happy that I heard the chairman say that the foundation normally avail grants to those students who distinguished themselves during the training”.

He added further that there are various funding schemes initiated by President Buhari for youths who need support in the agricultural sector.

“President Buhari through the National Youths and Sport recently commissioned the youth investment trust fund where the facility will be made available for the youths to set up their businesses”.

He however called on other organizations to take interest in investing in youth development in a bid to curb the high rate of unemployment in Nigeria.

“I also want to urge other foundations to take a cue from the Leventis foundation so that they should take interest in invest in youth development; because once you invest in youth development, you take them off the unemployed market”, he said.