About 28 youths drawn from 17 local government areas of Abia State, who were trained under a joint Federal and State agricultural empowerment programme in Osun State, have raised concerns over alleged abandonment by the state government.

The trainees said the three-week programme was conducted in November 2024, but claimed that officials responsible for providing post-training support for production and commercialization have failed to deliver on promised assistance.

They specifically accused the Abia State Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, as well as the Ministry of Agriculture, of not releasing funds reportedly approved by the state government to help them begin production activities.

Speaking through representatives Ogbonnaya Peter, Orji Ijeoma, and Ojimgba Favour, the 2024 beneficiaries lamented that while over 300 trainees from Abia State who underwent similar training in Nasarawa State had reportedly received full government support, their own group had been left unattended.

“We were told that the state government had released funds and up till now, nothing has happened. Some groups that went to Nasarawa have gotten every necessary support. But since we came back, we have been abandoned like orphans. We believe Governor Otti may not be aware, which is why we are appealing for his intervention,” Ogbonnaya said.

In response, the Abia State Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Cliff Agbaeze, stated that the government is currently putting in place the necessary framework to integrate the beneficiaries into ongoing agricultural and youth empowerment programmes in the state.

He explained that some of the affected trainees had already reached out to him either in person or via phone calls, and assured them that they would not be neglected.

The commissioner urged the youths to remain calm and cautioned against allowing themselves to be used for political purposes, stressing that government remains committed to their welfare and empowerment.