As part of measures to tackle unemployment and empower young graduates in Oyo State, Governor Seyi Makinde has unveiled plans to empower 500 graduates with skill acquisition training and provide them with essential starter packs to kickstart their entrepreneurial journey.
This initiative, dubbed the “Omituntun 2.0 Enterprise Skills For Youth Development aims to equip young graduates between the ages of 22 and 25 years with practical skills that are in demand within the local economy with a move to engender self-reliance and reducing dependency on government jobs.
The Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development in the state, Miss Wasilat Adegoke disclosed this at a press briefing on Tuesday, May 28 at the Governor’s Office Press Conference Room.
Entry requirement for the program according to the commissioner are Bachelor of science (BSc.) and Higher National Diploma (HND) and the training would hold at designated centres across the five geopolitical zones in the state.
In her address, the Commissioner, who stated that applicants are expected to fill their personal and academic details on a designated online application portal noted that the website would be unveiled immediately through the official social media pages of the Ministry.
She emphasized the importance of providing practical solutions to unemployment challenges other sporting activities, saying, “Our focus is not just on creating jobs but on empowering our youths to create jobs for themselves and others.
The commissioner equally stated that even spread of the opportunity, 15 young graduates will be selected from each local government across the 33 LGs in the state to commence the empowerment and skill acquisition program.
The selected beneficiaries according to the Commissioner, will undergo comprehensive training in various specialized skills such as the Arts of writing business proposals/Tips for successful interview to boost their employability, Entrepreneurship and skill Acquisition, Financial/Business managernent and sustenance, Leadership skills and mentorship among others.
Consequently, beneficiaries would undergo compulsory six month period of on the job mentorship in their chosen areas of businesses for proper monitoring of their development process.
The Commissioner noted that the training has been designed to be hands-on and tailored to the needs of the local market and that upon completion of the training program, each graduate will receive a starter pack containing essential tools and equipment necessary to start their own businesses in their respective fields.
In her words: “Youths in the State have been clamuring for this and accusing my office and this administration of concentrating on sporting activities alone neglecting the youth development aspect.
“I thank God today we are implementing a mega Youth Empowermert Programne where 15 youths would be picked from all the 33 local Govenment Areas to be trained.”
Speaking on the roles and commitment of stakeholders, Mrs. Kudirat. Oyebisi Mustapha, the Director of Youth Development in the Ministry said, Mr. Jasper Ezenwaka, the program Consultant would provide expertise for the entrepreneurial training and mentorship.
She explained that the pilot phase will focus on young graduates while the next phase will focus on existing young entrepreneurs requiring government support for their business survival.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs. Olubukola Ajoke Oladipo, in her brief remark, appealed to those that be beneficiaries of the pilot phase to ensure strict adherence to the regulations and shun any attempt to sell off their starter packs at the end of the program in order not to frustrate efforts of the Governor on the youth development and empowerment. initiative.
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