Stepreneur Uzoka thanks Gov. Okowa for believing in the youths, STEP programme.
The business success story of this enterprising young man, Paul Chiwete Uzoka, is one that could trigger off the quest for vocational skills in any unemployed youth. Paul is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Zoks Global Services Limited located at KM 10, Asaba/Benin Expressway, Asaba. Trained in Interlocking in the 2015 Programme Cycle of the State Government’s Skills Training and Entrepreneurship Programme (STEP), he was able to take advantage of his entrepreneurial ability to diversify into other business ventures as Aluminium Windows, Stainless Rails Design, Door Folding Designs, Real Estate, Granite Supplies, Increte and General Contracts.
Paul hails from Aniocha North and is a graduate of Delta State University, Abraka, where he studied Guidance and Counselling. Within five years of running his enterprise, Paul has made remarkable achievements and owes his business success to the Okowa-led administration.
“I chose Interlocking because I have idea about building services. I do not believe in failure. I saw that through Interlocking, I could make a decent living and take care of my family. For these reasons, I was focused.” He expressed satisfaction with the starter pack given to him, saying he received a Compacting Machine; 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; 2 Hand Gloves; a Start-Up Allowance of #97, 0 00.00 and 3 months stipend of #10,000.00 per month. Paul was quick to state that he started receiving offers to execute projects while still in training. According to him, “a month into my training, I started having jobs. In fact, we have taken over. I want to thank Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for believing in the youth. If not for him, I would have remained unemployed. I know I will go far. I have lost count of the number of jobs I have done.”
One cannot but describe Paul as a very enterprising young man given the number of business ventures, he engages in. “Apart from Interlocking, I am into Aluminium Windows, Stainless Rails Design, Door Folding Designs, Real Estate, Increte, Granite Supplies and so on,” he remarked. Paul has since bought himself a car out of the proceeds of his business, bought more equipment and tools and got married. "I have expanded to other branches of building services.” In terms of job creation for others, Paul had this to say: “I have ten casual workers and a secretary.” He, however, appealed to the State Government to patronize its beneficiaries, especially those in Interlocking. “STEPreneurs in interlocking can interlock some of our feeder roads,” he said. “It is cheaper, more aesthetical and durable.”
To the unemployed youths he had this to say. “When a child does not know the importance of a herbal leaf, he calls it vegetable. Has any government worker made Forbes’s list as the richest man? Only business men and women do. They should acquire skills because it is gainful. It might be tough at first, but in the long run, the sky is the starting point.”
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“Jobs have been done; many are still coming. I did my wedding last year; I have helped a lot of persons and many would be helped. The STEP training has impacted positively on my life so much; without God and the training, I wonder where I would have been by now. I thank God; I thank our Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa and I thank the job creation bureau,” he concluded.
By Gertrude Onyekachukwu-Uteh