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The youth development programmes of the Delta State Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, have been described as unprecedented, phenomenal and the best safeguard against the explosion in unemployment.
The State Commissioner for Youth Development, Mr Ifeanyi Egwuyenga, made the assertion at the closure of the boot camp of the state-owned Tertiary Institutions Entrepreneurship Programme (TEP) at the Delta State NYSC Orientation Camp, Issele-Uku, Aniocha North Local Government Area of the state.
A total of 143 beneficiaries, drawn from Delta-owned universities, colleges of education and polytechnics, successfully completed the TEP training in line with the youth entrepreneurial and empowerment initiatives. Highlighting the objectives and benefits of the training scheme, the commissioner assessed some of the programmes and activities of the Okowa’s administration, spanning youth demography vis-â-vis their participation in governance, capacity building and various empowerment.
“From the outset, not only were the interests of Delta youths factored into the policies and programmes of the Okowa’s administration wrapped around the SMART and Stronger Delta initiatives, but they have also remained key drivers of these policies and programme,” he said.
“To demonstrate that his mantra ‘Prosperity for All Deltans’ is not a cliché but unwavering resolve to build the economic capacity of the state through entrepreneurship, the administration has allocated lots of resources towards the development and advancement of youths in the state through various empowerment programmes, adopting multi-sectoral approach to reach a wider demography of the youths in different categories”.
Under the Ifeanyi Okowa administration, the state government has launched several youth empowerment programmes, including the Youth Agricultural Entrepreneurs Programme (YAGEP); Skills Training and Entrepreneurship Programme (STEP); Graduates’ Employment Enhancement Programme (GEEP); Information and Communication Technology – Youth Empowerment Programme (ICT-YEP); Rural Youth Skill Acquisition (RYSA); Tertiary Institutions Entrepreneurship Programme (TEP); and the Community Business School (CBS).
According to the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Special Duties, Okwuehi Ogboi, these programs will fully accelerate the local economy, intensify creativity and innovation, and encourage youth entrepreneurship.
“The state government is focused on programs and initiatives that will unlock the youth’s potential, especially by providing access to capital, mentorship, and training programs that equip them with the necessary tools and resources to succeed”, said Okwuehi. “Our experience and learnings show that the future looks bright and promising, thanks to the inspiring and enterprising leaders that continue to emerge from the programs. Basically, our objective is that Delta State becomes a beacon of innovation, enterprise, and social progress in Nigeria and beyond with the right support and infrastructure”.
“There is no gainsaying the fact that Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, since assumption of office as Governor in 2015, has demonstrated undying passion for Delta youths in both words and actions and can be said to be unprecedented.”
The State Chief Job and Wealth Creation Officer, Professor Eric Eboh, congratulated the beneficiaries for successfully undertaking the all-important entrepreneurship training and noted that the programme was the first of its kind in the country, urging them to live up to the high expectations as pioneers of the BOOTCAMP.
Eboh said: “I want you to realise that to have got to this point, it means there is something special inside of you. “Consider yourself already a success, as this is a plus to the various degree certificates and diplomas you will obtain from your respective institutions.”
Highpoint of the ceremony included messages of appreciation by the Permanent Secretary in the State Ministry of Youth Development, Mrs Ngozi Mogbolu, and a representative from each of the seven tertiary institutions in the state.
