A former Vice President of Nigeria and the presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Abubarkar Atiku, has called on the Federal Government to study and adopt the job and wealth creation module of Governor Okowa of Delta State.
Alhaji Atiku made the call recently at a two-day Job Creation Exhibition for beneficiaries of the Delta State Government’s Job Creation Scheme held in Asaba from 24thto 25thJanaury, 2019.
The job Creation Exhibition which is the second of its kind in the state was attended by about 700 beneficiaries, comprising entrepreneurs trained and established through the Skills Training and Entrepreneurship Programme (STEP), Youth Agricultural Entrepreneurs Programme (YAGEP) and by those from the Graduate Employment Enhancement Programme (GEEP), Women Mobilization, Micro Credit Akwa Ocha/Leather Works and Vocational and Technical Education Board (TVEB).
Represented at the event by his running mate, Mr Peter Obi, Alhaji Atikulauded the job creation initiative of Governor Okowa while on a tour of the Job Creation Exhibition stands of the beneficiaries.
In his words, “These wealth Creation Programmes are practical and realistic. The Federal Government should visit Delta State to understudy the schemes and implement them for the benefits of Nigerians and the speedy industrial revolution of the country. For peace to reign in Nigeria, we must create jobs for the youths as it is being done in Delta State. This Delta State job creation projects do not only train the youths, but mentor them, empower them and monitor them to become successful entrepreneurs. This is what we will do for our youths when we take over government.”
The PDP presidential flag bearer commended Governor Okowa’s administration for the initiative, assuring Nigerians that his administration would explore sustainable means to create wealth for Nigerians.
Earlier in his address at the indoor ceremony which witnessed the inauguration of 1,180 STEP and YAGEP beneficiairies in the 2018/2019 Cycle and launch of certified packaged Delta Garri for exports, the Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, emphasized, “After three full cycles of implementing these flagship programmes, I can boldly say that we have inched closer towards our goal of a more prosperous, diversified and resilient economy.”
He said that the economic downturn on his assumption of office had threatened to abort and derailed his campaign promise of prosperity for all Deltans, but he remained resolute. “However, we refused to be deterred, convinced and confident that our novel job creation scheme, geared at nurturing, supporting and promoting micro, small and medium scale enterprises would trigger off economic growth, social inclusion and sustainable development. We commenced implementation of our enterprise development Programme in form of the Skills Training and Entrepreneurship Programme and Youth Agricultural Entrepreneurs Programme.”
“There is no better evidence of this assertion than the scores of previously unemployed youths who have become successful entrepreneurs and are here today to exhibit their products and services. 4, 253 previously unemployed youths have become business owners across various skills areas, notably Catering & Confectionery; Decoration & Event Management; Hairdressing & Makeover; Cosmetology; Electrical Installation & Repairs; Tiling; Plumbing; Fashion Design & Tailoring; Agricultural enterprises as Piggery; Fish Production; Poultry; Crop Production among other enterprises,” he remarked.
While noting that the job creation efforts of his administration is a resounding success, Governor Okowa congratulated the beneficiaries of the programme for the success stories, he said some entrepreneurs raised by the programme had become employers of labour which multiplier effects on the family and that of the state remained significant,assuring that the number of beneficiaries will triple in the next four years..
Earlier the Honourable Commissioner for Finance and Chairman of the Job Creation Steering Committee, Dr. Kingsley Emu, thanked Governor OKowa for his commitment to creating jobs for Delta unemployed youths.
On his part, the Chief Job Creation Officer, Prof. Eric Eboh, urged Deltans to patronize the products and services of the exhibitors.
Written by Gertrude Onyekachukwu-Uteh