Abia state governorship aspirant under the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Mr. Kalu Ijomah Ukeh has vowed to tackle unemployment in the state if elected as the next governor of the state.
According to Mr. Ukeh, his administration will invest heavily in manufacturing and agriculture, thereby engaging thousands of Abia youths.
Ukeh, stated this in an interview with newsmen in Umuahia, Sunday morning, noting that Agriculture can solve the issue of unemployment when made attractive to young people.
He said, “Given that the Nigeria’s exports are dominated by crude oil, Nigeria’s agricultural sector provides an estimated 65% of jobs across the nation – a dynamic that is mirrored in many of the states, and Abia is no exception. Agriculture is currently the main contributor to Abia State’s economy, comprising 27% of Gross Demostic Product (GDP) and directly or indirectly employing as much as 70% of the workforce. Representing 27% of the GDP, agriculture- which employs 70%of the state workforce- is the second economic sector of Abia. With its adequate seasonal rainfall, Abia has much arable land that produces yams, maize, potatoes, rice, cashews, plantains, taro, and cassava. Oil palm is the most important cash crop.
“The agricultural sector is therefore going to be one of the key priorities of our administration. The sector offers opportunities in a variety of segments, ranging from husbandry and fisheries to cash crops and downstream processing, but realising its potential will require significant investment to restructure and modernise the industry.
“We shall engage capable hands, fund and implement research works that are wasting in our research institutes, and implement them.
“We shall make Agriculture attractive to our youths and women. If they can monitor development in their farm and on their laptops, it will make them feel modern. If young beautiful and attractive girls can be in agriculture and still remain attractive many young people will gladly go into farming.”
