By Ozioruva Aliu, BENIN CITY

NOT less than 63 beneficiaries of the Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises in the Niger Delta (LIFE-ND) project in Edo State, in collaboration with the International Fund for Agricultural Development and the Edo State Government have received their working capital and certificates as incubatees after their training.

Speaking at the ceremony held in Benin City, the State Project Coordinator, John Omoruyi cautioned the beneficiaries not to divert the capital for other uses to ensure that it was used for the purpose it was meant.

This warning he said became necessary to make sure the beneficiaries pay back the capital without interest so the facility can revolve to other people which he said are for youths, women within set age limits and physically challenged people.

In his speech, the Edo State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Jerry Uwangue who stood in for Governor Monday Okpebholo said the LIFE-ND project has been fully embraced by the administration and expressed the government’s commitment to transforming agriculture into a viable and sustainable pathway for wealth creation, food security, and youth development.

The commissioner, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Rebecca Osedebamen Bamaiyi, noted that the Monday Okpebholo administration has recorded significant implementation achievements under the LIFE-ND project.

He noted that “The project has successfully trained 630 incubatees across 56 incubation centres located within six local government areas of the state. This achievement reflects the dedication, hard work, and effective collaboration among the State Project Coordinating Office, IFAD, incubation centres, mentors, implementing partners, and all critical stakeholders.

“These beneficiaries have undergone intensive training in various agricultural value chains and enterprise management practices.”

National Project Coordinator of LIFE-ND, Sanni Abiodun, who was represented by Agribusiness Promotion Coordinator, Anthonia Esenwa, said the project has empowered over 4,500 youths, women, and physically challenged persons in the state.

Esenwa said Bola Ahmed Tinubu provided critical funding for the project.

She said the Federal Government has demonstrated that empowering young people in agribusiness is not just a policy on paper, but a concrete strategy for food security, job creation, and national economic growth.

She urged the beneficiaries to work hard, repay the loan, and be good ambassadors of LIFE-ND.