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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 pledged the council’s support for a vocational skills development programme designed to tackle youth unemployment, promote self-reliance and help address insecurity across Esan land.
Momodu said the initiative would equip youths with practical and income-generating skills that could create sustainable livelihood opportunities and provide alternatives to criminal activities.
He emphasised that economic empowerment was essential to building safer, more productive and resilient communities, noting that youths equipped with relevant skills would be better positioned to earn a living, establish businesses and contribute to local economic development.
The programme is being organised by the Centre for Moral Value and Justice in collaboration with the Edo State Ministry for Public Safety and Security.
It is expected to provide vocational training and entrepreneurship opportunities to youths across the five local government areas in Esan land.
Comrade Inegbenehi Sylvester is the convener of the initiative, while Hon. Chris Okojie serves as co-convener.
The programme is scheduled to be officially flagged off on October 6, 2026, at the Esan West Local Government Secretariat.
Following the flag-off ceremony, the training will be decentralised across 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, an organisation affiliated with the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN).
Speaking on the initiative, Momodu assured that his administration would work closely with the organisers to ensure that a significant number of youths from Esan Central benefit from the programme.
He said the council would mobilise youths and facilitate broad participation, stressing that vocational education remained an important pathway to employment, entrepreneurship and economic self-reliance.
“Empowering our youths with practical skills is critical to making them economically productive and reducing their vulnerability to criminal activities,” Momodu said.
