The Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises-Niger Delta, (LIFE-ND) project has onboarded 1,020 youths and women in Abia for training in agri-enterprises.
LIFE-ND is a Federal Government project funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development with support from Niger Delta Development Commission.
The programme is designed to train rural youths and women as agripreneurs across participating Niger Delta states.
Dr Jerus Uvieghara, Knowledge Management and Communication Coordinator of LIFE-ND, said at the orientation exercise in Umuahia that the training was for the Batch 2 of its Additional Finaning.
He said that the project was designed for youths and women to equip them with agri-entrepreneurship skills for self-reliance.
Uvieghara said that LIFE-ND focused on seven commodities: cassava, rice, plantain, oil palm, cocoa, fisheries and poultry.
According to him, the nine Niger Delta states prioritises four commodities based on comparative advantage.
He listed the states as Abia, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Ondo, Akwa Ibom, Imo and Rivers.
However, Uvieghara noted that the orientation was for new beneficiaries across six Niger Delta srates.
He explained that the project deployed an incubation model where experienced agri-entrepreneurs provide hands-on training.
Uvieghara disclosed that the orientation would help beneficiaries understand the project and how to benefit maximally.
He said after orientation, beneficiaries would be deployed to trainers’ enterprises for apprenticeship and mentorship.
He said the current batch increased to 1,020 from a little above 600 in the first batch.
Uvieghara revealed that the increase followed additional financing granted in 2025 due to the project’s success.
He said that President Bola Tinubu approved the continuation to lift more people out of poverty through agriculture.
Acting State Project Coordinator, Abia, Mr Azubuike Azubuike, said the selection was done in 10 local government areas and 100 communities.
He said that successful candidates were invited to meet requirements before posting to incubators(trainers) for training.
Azubuike said that the orientation exercise was being held in three centres across Abia with 1,020 beneficiaries in total.
He explained that the training covered production, processing and services in cassava, rice, poultry, fish and marketing.
He said that the project targeted unemployed and underemployed persons aged 18 and above, women and persons with disabilities.
Azubuike said that the training duration ranges from two to nine months depending on the enterprise.
He said that the beneficiaries would graduate and undergo monitoring before final empowerment and support.
Mr Godwin Chukwuekezie, Abia Agri-business Promotion Officer, said the beneficiaries signed an MoU with incubators and LIFE-ND to clarify roles.
He said that monitoring teams would visit centres regularly to ensure attendance and compliance.
Wisdom Ukonu, the State Administration and Logistics Officer, said that the beneficiaries expressed excitement and gratitude for the life-changing opportunity.
He attributed the large turnout to the project’s visibility and success stories.
Miss Chidera Nnadi, a beneficiary with disability from Osisioma LGA, said she chose poultry and expected to gain much.
Ikechukwu Orihe, a beneficiary with albinism, said his dream was to own a large poultry farm.
The beneficiaries assured organisers that they would learn diligently and make the investment worthwhile.
