(Abia agric trainees. Photo Credit: Daily post)
Around 28 young people from 17 local government areas in Abia State who participated in a joint Federal and State government agricultural empowerment programme held in Osun State in November 2024 have raised an alarm over alleged abandonment by the State government.
The youths claim that officials from the Abia State Ministry of Youth and Sports Development and the Ministry of Agriculture have failed to release funds that were reportedly approved by the State government to help them begin production and commercialization after completing the three-week training.
Their frustration was deepened by the fact that over 300 other Abia youths who underwent a similar programme in Nasarawa State had already received full financial support from the government.
Speaking on behalf of the group, Ogbonnaya Peter said they had been left without support since returning from the programme, adding that they believe Governor Otti may be unaware of their situation and are appealing for his direct intervention.
However, the Abia State Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Cliff Agbaeze, responded by saying that the government is currently putting in place the necessary framework to properly integrate the beneficiaries into its ongoing agricultural and youth empowerment initiatives.
He noted that some of the affected youths had already reached out to him directly and assured them they would not be left behind.
He also urged them to remain calm and warned against allowing themselves to be used as tools for political propaganda.