By Godwin-Maria Utuedoye
Delta State Governor, Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, today, Wednesday, May 10, at Asaba, the state capital, restated government commitment in developing the youths through Skill Training and Entrepreneurship Programme (STEP) as well as Youth Agricultural Entrepreneurship Programme (YAGEP) and others.
Okowa gave the assurance during the graduation and empowerment ceremony organised for beneficiaries of STEP, YAGEP, GEEP, and ICT-YEP, organised Ministry of Science and Technology and the Delta State Job and Wealth Creation Bureau.
The beneficiaries, who received starter packs were trained in fashion designing, cosmetics/cosmetology, event management/make-over, media production/online digital marketing, poultry/pig farming, interlocking, catering services, ICT and several others.
The governor who could not hide his feelings to the various presentations by the graduands who also presented him with someone of their products, disclosed that the programme was conceived considering the precarious jobless situation in Nigeria with the youths as the prime victims. He pointed that the state government is very happy because they have been able to trained, empowered over 75, 332 youths and also made them become employers of labour.
“You have made me proud as your governor and I must return my thanks to all the youth who have gone through this programme, and also have time to rehearse for the wonderful performances.
“Let me thank those who sustained the programme in the past eight years including Dr Kingsley Emu, Economic Adviser, Professor Eric Eboh, Director-General State Job and Wealth Creation Bureau, Dr Kingsley Obiora, Commissioner for Science and Technology, Olorogun Mrs. Jennifer Adasen Efeviroro. I must also thanked my Deputy Governor, Deacon Kingsley Utuaro who have been so loyal and supportive, I must say I am grateful.
To the graduands he said; “assuming you had failed, as a government we would have been discouraged from continuing with it, but thank you for making us proud and I must say there is no limit of support to any youth who is inventive in Delta State.
” Thank you for voting continuity as the main agenda of the incoming governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori is to do MORE, and I know and believe he will continue with the programme because he is someone who believe in our vision.
“I’m confident that you will make us proud going into the future and we will be proud that we laid the foundation and that was built upon”.
Earlier, Professor Eboh in his address stated that the political leadership of the governor, several programmes of skills acquisition, entrepreneurship development have been successfully implement. He said these programmes all have lasting impacts in the lives and fortunes of youths, girl child, women, artisans, traders and widows.
He noted that a total of 75, 332 persons were trained and empowered within the eight years of the governors administration.
Prof. Eboh commended Governor Okowa for his supports in raising from ground zero the Office of the Job Creation and nurtured it through the enactment by law of Delta State Job and Wealth Creation Bureau.
The governor also presented starter packs and support packages to the beneficiaries in fields for their successful completion of all the phases of training and fulfilling the eligibility requirements.
He said the Bureau had created some institutional development tools developed and already being applied by Delta Job and Wealth Creation Bureau to ensure organisational and programme sustainability into the future.
Some beneficiaries who spoke to news crew said; the programme has shaped them and has taken them from the labour market as they can now stand on their own. They however called on government to continue with he programmes so that those who have not benefitted can also benefit from it.