ABUJA (Water Ministry’ Report)- In its determination to resuscitate the twelve River Basin Development Authorities (RBDAs) with the objective of restoring their mandate, building institutional capacity and supporting the agricultural agenda of the Buhari administration, the Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman H. Adamu, on Thursday May 18, 2017 launched the Operational Guidelines for Graduate/ Youth Empowerment programme, in Abuja.
In his keynote address, the Minister noted that the highest threat to our nationhood is the army of unemployed youths on our streets. “The Graduate Youth Employment (GYEP) initiative and the guidelines that we are set to launch today are therefore designed to redirect the energy of the Nigerian youth positively to agric productivity and making them successful entrepreneurs across the length and breath of the country”.
The Minister stated that the Graduate Youth Employment Programme (GYEP) commenced with the first launch of the scheme at Kampe Irrigation Project, Kogi State on July 28, 2016 and so far a total of eight (8) pilot projects under the scheme have been launched. The scheme is to be extended to all the 109 senatorial districts of the federation.
The acting Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Water Resources, Dr. Musa Ibrahim earlier in his welcome address said that the Operational Guidelines for Graduate Youth Employment Programme (GYEP) is a dream come true for the present administration and expressed his optimism that the Managing Directors of the River Basin Development Authorities (RBDAs) will accord the guidelines optimum seriousness it deserves.
