The commitment of the Federal Government to empower Nigerian Youth Entrepreneurs will ensure that at least (500,000) five hundred thousand jobs are generated between 2020 and 2023 as proposed, the present administration is on course and it is hopeful it will greatly enhance the valuable innovative ideas, skills and talents of the Nigerian Youth.
The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare, represented by a Director in the Ministry confirmed this during the closing ceremony of the Youth Empowerment Programme on Sustainable Livelihood Skills Acquisition that held at Owode – Egba in Ogun State for two weeks (Feb. 7th to 19th, 2021) at the National Youth Development Centre.
Youths from across the six Geo-political zones, One Hundred and Nine (109) of them were trained in three skill areas both theories and practical as:
i. Fish Production Preservation and Processing
ii. Crop Production and Value Addition, and,
iii. Coconut and Shea Butter Production.
In addition to equipping them on social media marketing of their finished products.
Speaking further, Mr. Sunday Dare assured that since 2007, the Ministry has trained Youths in diversified vocational skills at both the National and International levels with the aim of giving them a leverage in being self-employed. He stressed that with the establishment of the Nigeria Youth Investment Fund (NYIF), the Ministry is now sure of a more sustainable FREE means of access to credit through the Nigeria Youth Investment Fund, a Seventy Five Billion Naira for the period of 2020-2023, – three years dedicated to all credible Youths to invest their rich innovative ideas, skills and talents to grow themselves and other Youths which shall no doubt boost the Nigerian economy and create wealth for all. Wealth creation that will eventually enthrone peace and tranquility of our nation.
In his opening remarks, the Director of Enterprise Development and Promotion, Mr. Olugbenga Momoh said this annual skills development programmes across the country has lifted a great number of Youths from the unemployment market. He commended the Federal Government through the Ministry of Youth and Sports Management team for this window to enable Nigerian Youth be self employed and also helping to employ other Youths as their businesses enlarge in size.
The Oba of Owode-Egba Land, His Royal Majesty, Gbadebo Sowemimo appealed that regular use of the Youth facility in his domain is required, more so, the training of Youths in useful and needed skills are required. The Director of Youth Development in Ogun State, Mr. Salami appreciated the collaboration of this programme with the Government.
LERE-ADAMS, A.B
DIRECTOR-PRESS.
