Comrade Kennedy Iyere, the Coordinator-General of the Youth Economic Intervention and Deradicalization Program (YEIDEP), has emphasised that the project is focused on empowering Nigerian youths through agriculture and entrepreneurship. Speaking during the YEIDEP convention held in Ibadan, Iyere shared details of the initiative.
According to him, the programme is not limited to farmers alone but is designed to involve young people in the broader agricultural value chain. “Not just farmers only, but our priority is to engage youths in the agricultural sector—agriculture, food business, food entrepreneurship, and then agro-allied,” he said. “That was why we created what we call the Cooperative Youth Farmers and Agro-Allied Entrepreneurs Program—Cooperative Youth Farmers and Allied Entrepreneurship Program rather.”
Iyere explained that the Cooperative Youth Farmers and Allied Entrepreneurship Program is a strategic step to ensure job creation while tackling food insecurity across the country. He stated that “food security is national security,” adding that addressing hunger will help reduce the rising rate of crime. “If you eliminate hunger, the hunger crisis, the hunger situation we have today in this country—if it is dealt with squarely—crime rate will drop. You don’t need fasting, you don’t need prayer, you don’t need any kind of extra effort,” he noted.
He described food poverty as the most severe form of hardship facing Nigerian families today. “Right now, families cannot feed, which is what we call the worst form of poverty. Food poverty is the worst form of poverty. And in a country where a meal that is even substandard is a luxury for so many families, we have a humanitarian emergency or crisis in the food sector. That’s the truth. Hunger is real, and we have never had it this bad,” Iyere stated.
Explaining why agriculture remains the major focus of YEIDEP, Iyere said, “You don’t need special skills to grow corn, maize, and other crops.” He added that beyond agriculture, the programme also explores other key sectors like technology, entertainment, and the creative economy.
Addressing the youth directly, Iyere urged them to take responsibility for building their own future instead of relying on political leaders. “My message for the youth is simple: nobody can build for you a future you are not willing to build or create for yourself,” he said.
He criticised the political class for keeping the youth in poverty to control them during elections. “It is a thing of shame believing that the old people who lead you as governors, senators, and House members can fix this country for you when you have the strength. The power of the ballot is your force. You can regulate what happens because democracy is all about the numbers. But they have kept you in poverty because they want to price and buy you cheap for votes.”
Iyere concluded that YEIDEP represents a major movement of change. “This program is a revolution. It’s a tsunami. It’s a sword. It’s a wave. And this wave has no respect for position. We are sweeping. It’s a moving train. It’s a ship. It’s a tornado. And this is a volcano. And as it literally moves, the people that have destroyed our commonwealth and rendered you economically irrelevant and useless are afraid because they know the truth is beginning to sink into your minds.”