Senator Egwu Advocates for Mild Loan Condition for Graduates

By Nwogha Ndubuisi Andy

The Senator representing Ebonyi North Senatorial Zone,Dr.Sam Ominyi Egwu on Saturday 30th August,2019 called Federal Ministry of finance and it's related agency to remove strict condition involved in school leavers accessing loan.

The former state governor made the appeal while addressing newsmen at Umuebe farm college Ezzangbo during the graduation ceremony of first set of agricultural skill trainees which was empowered by Industrial Training Fund in collaboration with Nigeria Employers Consultative Association.

Speaking the Prioprietor of the agricultural institution, Dr.Egwu lauded the graduands for their commitment and patience throughout the period of the practical training, noting that the graduating students are peculiar in the sense that they are not being awarded certificate for passing out of the institution, but maintained optimistic that they had both theoretical and practical knowledge of various areas of specializations.

Dr. Egwu challenged them not to seek for white collar jobs but harness the teaching and establish their own farm as that would be the secret to building their dream agro businesses that would stand test of time.

He, however,lamented that Central Bank of Nigeria had good plan for Nigeria youth to access loan but string condition associated with it has marred the effort and advise that some cumbersome requirements be removed from such loan to enable them access the money as a way to curb unemployment in the country, even as, he challenged sponsors of the graduands to seek for their financial assistance through federal government financial institutions to enable the graduating students put into use what they have learnt while assuring them of his support.

Earlier in his welcome address,the provost Umuebe farms College, Prof. Clement Okonkwo, pointed out that the certificates awarding ceremony to participants who participated and had completed 3-months intensive practical oriented programme on modern Agricultural Skills where batch of trainees that cut across the five states of the south east and they majored in Apiculture,Fishery and Aquiculture, poultry production, piggery,crop production and entrepreneurship development.

He noted that institution offers National Innovation Diploma in Agriculture Technology designed to produce self reliant skilled and productive agriculturist.

The Director-General Industrial Training Fund, Sir Joseph Ari(KSM) said the essence of the collaboration was to train and equip Nigeria youth for self reliance.

The Director who was represented by Comrade Chuks Nnachi, advised the graduands to put into use the knowledge gained into use and maintain honest and steadfast.

He appealed to Central Bank of Nigeria and Federal government led Muhammadu Buhari and well wishers to assist the graduating students to establish themselves.

On his part, The state governor Engr.David Umahi, who was ably represented by commission for Agriculture, Chief Ogodo Ali Nomeh, promised to assist the graduands as state government haven mapped out some money to empower farmers would ensure they're among beneficiaries when the programme would kick off.

The chairman of the occasion, Chief Boniface Ofoke, urged the youth not to undermine the training as Agriculture remains permanent profession that never disappoints those in the field.

In an interview, the overall best graduating student and group Course representative, Mr.Obazi Onyinyechukwu, prayed that they be incorporated into the state and national Agricultural programme, by giving them the necessary Assistance in order to actualize the major objective of the training and for the continuation of the programme.

Highlight of the day was the donations of one million naira to the overall best student and five hundred thousand naira each for the five other best graduating students in various areas by Senator Egwu and award of certificate to over sixty graduating students.