Taraba State Government, through the Taraba State Youth Development Agency, on Thursday commenced the disbursement of startup funds to young trained entrepreneurs to boost their businesses and livelihood.
Governor Agbu Kefas noted during the event in Jalingo that the gesture was to encourage serious young Tarabans to be financially independent, and grow to become employers of labour.
Nigerian Tribune reports that the governor had approved the total sum of five hundred million naira to empower young entrepreneurs with existing businesses to improve productivity and engage more youths.
The governor also announced an increment of the funds to one billion, to capture more entrepreneurs.
“These grant is not for political reasons, it’s to improve the wellbeing of our young entrepreneurs. My desire is to see that every responsible young Tarabans becoming a creator of jobs”. Gov. Kefas justify.
Earlier, Hon Gara Nongha, Chairman, Taraba State Youth Development Agency, informed that the agency has taken data of over 1,600 entrepreneurs with existing businesses, while 300 were outlined for disbursement in the first phase of the programme, with each receiving N500,000.
Hon Gara also disclosed that beneficiaries were selected based on trust, considering their ability to transform lives through innovation, and that the selection captured across 180 council wards of the state, while the second phase of disbursement will commence in September 2026.
Also, Hon Justin Aondoasee Tyopuusu, the Taraba State coordinator of Made in Nigeria, expressed that the sub-component of the programme, (Made in Taraba), in partnership with the State Youth Development Agency, has taken data of young talented and serious entrepreneurs that are already making the state proud in different innovations.
Tyopuusu also urged the state government to establish an Adire centre that will boost the production of locally made fibres, and accessibility of traditional attires within the North-East and North-Central Nigeria.