The entrepreneurs, 50 in Hairdressing & Makeover and 18 in Interlocking had earlier completed their three months training under the State Government’s Skills Training and Entrepreneurship programme (STEP).
The items given out to each beneficiary in Hairdressing & Makeover included a Job Creation Grant of a Standing Hair Dryer; a Steaming Machine; a Sumec Fireman 2900 Generator and a Microcredit of Modern Hair Washing Basin; a Hand Dryer; a Flat Hair Tong; a WAHL Hair Clipper; 10 Packs of Hair Rollers; I Make-up Box; other Designers Makeup Accessories and a Cash Allowance of #150,000.00 and 3 months stipend of #10,000.00 per month on establishment of enterprise.
In the same vein, STEPreneurs trained in Interlocking received Job Creation Grant of a Compacting Machine and a Microcredit of a Wheel Barrow; a Spade; 2 Trowels; 100 Mould Design; 15 pieces of 3 inches Kerbs; 20 pieces of 4 inches Kerbs; 2 Mallets; 3 Brushes; a 750 GeePee Water Tank; a Cash Allowance of #120,000.00 and 3 months stipend of #10,000.00 per month on establishment of enterprise.
Addressing the beneficiaries of the programme, the State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, charged them to uphold the vision and mission of the job/wealth creation scheme of nurturing entrepreneurs and business managers, stating that their success depends on their attitude to work and how they package their products.
Governor Okowa congratulated them on the successful completion of their training programme right from the Orientation Course at Songhai Delta, Amukpe and at various training centres across the state where they acquired skills of their choice.
According to him, the 2016 Cycle of the job creation programme is at its second phase, which is distribution of starter packs to beneficiaries, “The Delta State Job Creation Prosperity Train is moving; we are making the distribution in batches; we have given out starter packs to STEPreneurs trained in Audio-Visual Technology, POP and Tiling and most YAGEPreneurs have been established in their in irrigated tomatoes production, fish production and rice production,” he recounted.
Represented by the State Chief Job Creation Officer, Prof Eric Eboh, the Governor reiterated his belief that Delta youths if empowered to become entrepreneurs have the capacity to transform the economic landscape of the state, saying ‘’I believe that our youths can be the best in the world and empowering the youths is my number one priority in terms of funding irrespective of the financial constraints facing the state.”
He tasked them to pay back the State Government’s kind gestures by being good ambassadors of the programme like their 2015 Cycle counterparts.
He disclosed that the Office of the Chief Job creation officer in collaboration with the Directorate of Youth Monitoring and Mentoring would organize a world class fair for YAGEPreneurs and STEPreneurs to showcase their products in the next 5 months, challenging them to be innovative and creative so as to be invited to market their products and services to the world.
On her part, the Honourable Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Barr. (Mrs) Mary Iyasere, enjoined the beneficiaries to make judicious use of their starter packs by being diligent and committed to the growth of their enterprises.
While saying that their enterprises are their strong point in life, opportunity to be self-reliant with a meaningful means of livelihood, she urged them to develop the habit of saving and re-investment so as to sustain their enterprises.
Also speaking, the Senior Special Adviser to the Governor on Agriculture, Hon Julius Egbedi, advised them not to sell their starter packs, adding that what the State government has given to them are full-packaged starter packs not only meant to help them become successful in life, but to help them become employers of labour.
Responding on behalf of others, Onyewelu Chioma (Ukwuani LGA) and Nzete Godspower (Ndokwa West) in Hairdressing & Makeover and Interlocking respectively, said the free 3 months training and starter packs they have received are clear demonstrations of the State Government’s commitment to tackling youth unemployment, stressing that they would live to remember the administration for it.