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From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
Benue State government is set to organise a live television programme for youths to express their talent in the agricultural value chain.
The programme, tagged “Food Value Hunt,” which is an initiative of Governor Hyacinth Alia will have 120 youths from across the state participating.
The Managing Director of the Agricultural Development Company (ADC), Mr Donald Akule, who disclosed this to newsmen in Makurdi, said the auditioning for the programme has commenced and the participants will be empowered through mentorship, training, soft loans and grants.
Akula said the food value hunt is a brain child of Governor Alia, who he said is interested in seeing that young minds and young people that are in the agricultural value chain have talent and skills and are willing to project it to add value to the state.
“State and non-state actors are partnering with the ADC to see that this dream of harnessing these young people come through. We are going to capture 120 of these persons.
“In a bold move to harness the potential of Benue State’s youth and promote sustainable agricultural development, the Fr. Hyacinth Alia has launched the “Food Value Hunt” initiative.
“This groundbreaking project, powered by the Agricultural Development Company (ADC), aims to identify, nurture, and empower young agricultural entrepreneurs aged 10-35.”
He explained that the live tv programme will come up during the year.
“We will have 12 episodes, each episode will feature 10 people. These people will be empowered through the various empowerment schemes that we have made available. They will win star prizes and a lot of things.
“We will also have a participatory audience. The audience will be an interactive audience. They will also be empowered, be it business people or young people. We are targeting an audience of 400 people within the ages of 18-35 and a VIP of 100 people. Some of these participatory audiences will be sponsored. This show is a ticket show and most of them will be sponsored to get the ticket at a very low cost to be part of the show.”
Akule also said in the course of the programme, the people of Benue will be exposed to the opportunities offered by the Bank of Industry, (BOI), the loan and grant facility made available by the state government, and the database for them to access opportunities in the agricultural sector.
He stressed that Governor Alia is projecting a leadership of integrity, and is willing to give back to the people that have given him the mandate to administer the state.
