Nigeria is battling to get out of its
present economic recession made
obvious when the National Bureau of
Statistics released a second quarter
Gross Domestic Product (GDP) report.
The report showed a contract in the GDP
by 2.06% in the second quarter of 2016.
According to the report, the decline has
caused the Naira to get weaker while
lower oil prices dragged the oil sector
down.
The output shrunk by 0.36 in the first
quarter.
During the quarter, nominal GDP was
2.73% higher at 23.48 million Naira at
basic prices.
This growth was lower than the rate
recorded in the second quarter of 2015
by 2.44% points.
Empowerment Through Agriculture
While launching a scheme tagged
‘Barracks Youth Empowerment Through
Agriculture (BYETA)’ held at the Air
Force Base in Kaduna State, Air Marshal
Abubakar said the initiative would
empower youths and create jobs.
The Air Chief was represented by the
Chief of Policy and Plans, Nigerian Air
Force headquarters, Air Vice Marshal
James Gbum.
He explained that the inauguration of
the youth empowerment programme
was a testimony and determination of
the Nigerian Air Force to key into the
Federal Government’s policy on
diversification of the economy to other
non-oil sectors especially agriculture.
Message Of Self-reliance
The programme, according to the
organisers, is designed to engage the
youths, particularly those living in the
barracks in productive ventures such as
poultry, fishery and crops farming that
would enable them live meaningful lives
independent of their parents or
guidance.
While urging the youth to make good
use of the opportunity to empower
themselves and contribute to the
economic development of the nation,
the representative of the Chief of Air
Staff, enjoined parents and guidance to
regularly monitor the progress of their
wards in order to achieve the maximum
success rate of the programme.
On his part, the Commander, 335 Base
Service Group, Air Commodore Bello
Garba, said the initiative was launched
to further drive home the message of
self-reliance and the directive given by
the Chief of Air Staff for all secondary
schools in the barracks to establish a
demonstration farm which he also noted
would prepare the youth to be self-
reliant.
He told the gathering that in compliance
with the directive, the 335 Base Service
Group had established a BYETA
association with an initial membership
of 25 youths at its inception on August
30.
At the moment it has 98 registered
members, including 35 engaged in fish
farming, 25 in poultry, 26 in livestock
and 12 in crop farming.
Some of the beneficiaries said they were
pleased with the initiative they believe
would empower them, help them feed
Nigerians and ensure food security.
The Barrack Youth Empowerment
Through Agriculture Programme is open
to relatives of Air Force personnel and
residents of host communities.
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