Lagos State Government has begun the recruitment of qualified Nigerians into the Lagos Agripreneurship Programme (LAP) under its Agriculture-based Youth Empowerment Scheme (Agric-YES).
The state Commissioner for Agriculture, Abisola Olusanya, in a press statement obtained from NAN on Tuesday, stated that the recruitment was in pursuit of the government’s objective of training no fewer than 15,000 youths and women in the various agricultural value chains by 2023.
Olusanya also stated that the one-month training would improve capacities, create wealth and enhance employment in agricultural value chains such as poultry, piggery, aquaculture and vegetables.
According to the commissioner, LAP will reduce unemployment, create jobs and alleviate poverty as well as pay more attention to the creation of jobs for women in agribusiness.
“Following the training of a total of 400 participants under three batches of the Lagos Agripreneurship Programme (LAP), Lagos State will begin shortlisting and recruitment of interested candidates for batches four to six of the programme.
“The current reality and exigencies of job creation for the teeming youth population and attainment of food security require that a more aggressive, strategic and efficient approach be employed in the training and empowerment of women and youth.
“This is important if Lagos State is to achieve a significant reduction in the unemployment rate, create more jobs and wealth and significantly enhance food security by the year 2023,” Olusanya said.
The commissioner said that the programme had been tailored for men from ages 18 years to 35 years and women aged from 18 years to 55 years. She said that candidates would be expected to collect and submit application forms from November 24 to December 8, as successful candidates would start the training at the Agricultural Training Institute, Araga, Epe, on January 5, 2021.
According to the official, candidates are expected to sit for a written examination on December 14 and 15.
She said that oral interviews would take place on December 18 and 19, and interested candidates in good physical and health conditions with a minimum qualification of Senior Secondary School Certificate should collect application forms for free.
Equity News learnt that LAP forms are available at the Agricultural Training Institute, Araga, Epe; Lagos State Agricultural Development Authority, Oko Oba, Agege; Lagos Agricultural Inputs Supply Authority, Odogunyan, Ikorodu; Coconut House, Mowo, Badagry, and Ministry of Agriculture, Area Office, Ajah.
