Ondo State Government on Wednesday engaged 100 youths in tractor operation as part of efforts to reduce unemployment.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, Governor Olusegun Mimiko said this during a training programme for the operators and mechanics in Akure.
Mimiko, who is seeking a re-election in the October
governorship poll in the state, said the empowerment would deepen
tractor service delivery to enhance job creation.
The Labour Party’s candidate for the election has been promised to continue with his women and youth development programmes.
Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr Ademola Olorunfemi,
who represented the governor, said the government was collaborating with
private sector operators to strengthen and improve demand for tractor
operators.
Federal Director of Agriculture, Mr. Rufus Omakinwa,
who represented the Minister for Agriculture, Adewumi Adesina, said that
the programme was organised to equip youths with appropriate skills in
driving the tractors.
“Agriculture mechanisation has played a pivotal role
in the task of re-engineering the Nigeria agriculture to attain higher
productivity.
“It has also helped to improve product quality and utilisation of energy required in various agricultural field,’’ he said.
The Chairman of the Agricultural Mechanic and
Machinery Operators Training Centre, Mr Ladeinde Mabayomije, said the
training and empowerment would boost job creation efforts.
According to him, the programme will also minimise drudgery and maximise use of technology.
Meanwhile, Mimiko is optimistic that he would win the election.
The governor, who dismissed threat from the opposition parties, said his achievement had won him the confidence of the people.
He appealed to the electorate to reject those he claimed were targeting the resources of the state.
