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By Ighomuaye Lucky, Benin
The Executive Chairman of Esan Central Local Government Area of Edo State, Hon. Prince Abdullahi Momodu, has thrown the council’s weight behind a vocational skills initiative aimed at tackling youth unemployment, promoting self-reliance and strengthening efforts to curb insecurity across Esan land.
Momodu said the programme would equip young people with practical, income-generating skills capable of opening sustainable livelihood opportunities and providing a positive alternative to criminal activities.
He stressed that meaningful economic empowerment remained critical to building safer, more productive and resilient communities, noting that giving youths the tools to earn a living could help reduce their vulnerability to crime and other social vices.
The initiative, organised by the Centre for Moral Value and Justice in partnership with the Edo State Ministry for Public Safety and Security, is expected to provide vocational training and entrepreneurship opportunities to youths across the five local government areas in Esan land.
The programme is being convened by Comrade Inegbenehi Sylvester, with Hon. Chris Okojie serving as co-convener. It is scheduled to be officially flagged off on October 6, 2026, at the Esan West Local Government Secretariat.
Following the flag-off, the training will be decentralised to Esan West, Esan South-East, Esan North-East, Esan Central and Igueben local government areas to ensure wider access and participation.
The training will be facilitated by the Nigerian Association of Engineering Craftsmen, a body affiliated with the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN).
Speaking on the initiative, Momodu said his administration would work with the organisers to ensure that a significant number of youths from Esan Central benefit from the programme.
He said the council would mobilise and facilitate broad participation, stressing that vocational education could provide young people with the skills required to secure employment, establish businesses and contribute meaningfully to the local economy.
“Empowering our youths with practical skills is critical to making them economically productive and reducing their vulnerability to criminal activities,” Momodu said.
