Modupe Gbadeyanka
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The federal government has said it will make the sum of N75 billion available to young entrepreneurs in the country so as to help them grow their businesses and be economically independent.
This information was revealed by the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs Zainab Ahmed, when she addressed newsmen in Kaduna State on Saturday.
A statement issued on Sunday by the Minister’s Special Adviser of Media and Communications, Mr Yunusa Tanko Abdullahi, disclosed that this money would be disbursed over a period of three years.
The Minister noted that the N75 billion entrepreneurship support fund will commence next year with N25 billion given to the youths in the first year till 2023 when the tenure of the current administration of President Muhammadu Buhari will end.
Mrs Ahmed was in Kaduna State yesterday on the directive of Mr Buhari for all Ministers to return to their states and get inputs on the best ways to empower the youths in each state.
While she was at her home state, the Minister held a meeting with the Kaduna State Acting Governor, Mrs Hadiza Balarabe, who disclosed programmes already put in place to assist youths in the state and ways the federal government can offer further assistance.
“We came to meet the government of Kaduna State to discuss the issue of the protest that has been happening around us, specifically the EndSARS protest.
“We are happy to report that the state has already prepared an excellent report on all the plans and efforts they have undertaken to manage the protests,” Mrs Ahmed informed journalists after the meeting.
Also in attendance at the meeting was the Minister of Environment, Mr Muhammad Mahmud, who stated that the state government had kept a chronicle of events from the very first day of the protest, adding that the delegation was very impressed.
In her welcome address, the acting governor conveyed the appreciation of the state government for the visit by the two ministers thanked the people of the state for remaining peaceful during the protest.
“I think in Kaduna we have our own fair share of crisis and we know enough what it is and how quickly it can degenerate. We were conscious of the way we handled the protest in the state and I think that was one thing that played out for us.
“I pray that we continue to have that kind of understanding; whatever it is you didn’t get in peace, you won’t get it in a war situation. Our youths have now understood how to settle issues.”
“I want our youths to continue to be law-abiding citizens and conduct themselves in a manner that is worthy,” Mrs Balarabe said.
For about two weeks, youths in the country staged a protest to call for an end to the dreadful Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and later demanded good governance.
