Non-Indigene Beneficiary of STEP

Non-Indigene Beneficiary of STEP: A Manifestation of All-Inclusive Leadership Style of Governor Okowa

The all-inclusive leadership style of Governor (Senator) Ifeanyi Okowa, was brought to bear when one of the beneficiaries, Marvis Onyedum, of the 2016 Cycle of the Delta State Government’s job creation programmes officially opened her enterprise.

Marvis Onyedum, who hails from Imo State was enrolled, trained and empowered in Catering and Confectionery under the Skills Training and Entrepreneurship Programme (STEP) for non-indigenes proved her worth when she mobilized the Igbo Community in Effurun and its environs to roll-out the drums in appreciation of Governor Okowa’s kind gesture.

Present to witness the opening ceremony were the Chief Job Creation officer, Prof Eric Eboh; the Political Adviser to the Governor, Hon Daniel Omimi; the Special Adviser to the Governor on Non-Indigene Affairs, Hon Nze Francis Onuora; the Special Adviser to the Governor on Youth Development, Comrade Hope George and other dignitaries.

The Chief Job Creation Officer, Prof Eric Eboh, applauded Mrs Marvis Onyedum for her talent which he described as a clear testimony of her commitment, personal effectiveness and grasp of all she was taught during her training programme.

Prof Eboh said her enrolment into the programme indicated that Senator Ifeanyi Okowa operates an all-inclusive government, adding that a reasonable slot of the State Government’s job creation programme is exclusively reserved for non-indigenes who reside in Delta State.

He emphasized that in its effort at curbing youth unemployment, the Okowa-led administration has engaged over 3,000 youths in its Skills Training and Entrepreneurship Programme (STEP) and the Youth Agricultural and Entrepreneurs Programme (YAGEP).

He called on private organizations and public-spirited individuals to partner with the government in order to engage more unemployed youths, stressing that government alone cannot address the unemployment situation in the state.

The Chief Job Creation Officer represented by the Communication Officer in the Office of the Chief Job Creation Officer, Mrs Gertrude Onyekachukwu, tasked the beneficiary, Marvis Onyedum to remain a good ambassador of the programme by engaging in community service so as to train and empower other unemployed youths in the state.

He advised her to remain focused and committed to the success of her enterprise which according to him is the one of the yardstick with which the success of the Okowa’s administration is measured- “Your success is our success and our success is measured by the level of your success,’’ he added.

On his part, the Chairman of the Ceremony and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Non-Indigenes Affairs, Hon Nze Francis Onuora, remarked that the Igbo Community in Effurun and its environs were gathered to celebrate the prosperity agenda for all Deltans by the Okowa’s administration.

He expressed his satisfaction over the performance of Mrs Marvis Onyedum, a product of STEP and her drive to succeed which is a strong indication that Governor Okowa is working and delivering on his promise of strategic job and wealth creation.

Speaking differently, the Political Adviser to the Governor, Hon Daniel Omimi Esq. and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Youth Development, Comrade Hope George said what they were witnessing was a demonstration of what the Governor has done for youths in the state, emphasizing that youth empowerment was top on Governor Okowa’s administration.

They called on all Deltans and non-indigenes alike to support the Governor in its determination to teach youths how to fish instead of giving them fish, urging other youths who are yet to be admitted into the programme to be patient.

Earlier the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Marvis Unique Catering Services, Mrs Marvis Onyedum, expressed her gratitude to the State Government for initiating the job creation programmes to redirect and to reshape the lives of many hopeless youths, thereby reducing youth unemployment and crime rate in the state.

While thanking her trainer, the Proprietress of Sheroda Catering School, Mrs Sherry Asorho, for the training she received at her training centre, she urged other beneficiaries to put into judicious use their starter packs and the knowledge acquired during the programme.

The highpoint of the ceremony was the exhibition of her catering products.

Gertrude Onyekachukwu

Communication Officer