Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed has said that the Federal Government has created a N75 billion entrepreneurship support fund, to enable youth in the country to grow their businesses and be economically independent.
The minister made the disclosure in an interview with newsmen after a meeting with Kaduna State Acting Governor, Dr Hadiza Balarabe, on Saturday in Kaduna.
According to her, N25 billion will be released over three years starting from 2021. She explained that the fund would support the youth to actualise their innovative and entrepreneurial ideas, be productive and employers of labour.
On her meeting with the acting governor, Ahmed said it was in response to the directive of President Muhammadu Buhari for all ministers to return to their states and get inputs on the best ways to empower the youths in each state.
“We came to meet the Government of Kaduna State to discuss the issue of the protest that has been happening around us, “We are very impressed and we can see why the little protests that have taken place here were very peaceful,” he added.
On the Federal Government 774,000 jobs, Mahmoud said some of the beneficiaries “I pray that we continue to have that kind of understanding; whatever it is you didn’t get in peace, you won’t get it in a war situation. Our youths have now understood how to settle issues.”
She advised the youths to always conduct themselves lawfully. “I want them to continue to be law-abiding citizens and conduct themselves in a manner that is worthy,” Balarabe said.
The acting governor assured that Kaduna state would continue to look into the demands of the youths, so as to make a difference in delivering good governance in the state.