By Ogochukwu Isioma in Benin City
The Edo State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to the welfare of young people in the state, noting that reforms by the government is empowering more youths in the state, supporting them to realize their fullest potential.
Addressing journalists at a one-day engagement with the theme, ‘Business Networking Series,’ the Managing Director, Edojobs, Mrs. Violet Obiokoro, said the government is providing the enabling environment for youths to thrive and contribute their quota to the development of the state.
She said, “The governor of Edo State is passionate about the youth because without them, the state will dwindle and we have to get them occupied meaningfully, invest in them, empower them, find means of survival for them via employment or entrepreneurship.
“We are going all out to move our youths off the streets and stop irregular migration. We want them to know the opportunities available for them as you can get trained in vocational skills, employability and I.T skills, which is the future of work.
“This kind of event is about communication to tell them what we are about, what we can offer them and what the government has put in place to make sure they succeed, as well as renew their minds to trust the government and see others who are doing well and believe in themselves that they can.”
According to him, “The governor has ensured that all these are free and the selection process is fair. You do not need to know anybody, just go to the job centers or Local Government Secretariats to get the information to access the training.
“There are startup packs available for every training we provide. We have partnership with donor organizations that have come to trust this Government to support us in ensuring we remove the youths from the streets.”
Also, the Commissioner for Business, Trade and Cooperatives, Afishetu Braimoh noted that the “Governor Godwin Obaseki is so passionate about empowering the youths and MSMEs and making them understand that without them, the state cannot thrive and move forward.
“It is clear that his vision has to materialize by creating an enabling environment for the MSMEs by having events like this, bringing everyone together to network, exchange ideas and open them up to the knowledge gap that is missing between MSMEs.”
