By Nkechi Odumosor
ASABA/Nigeria: The Delta State Government had in its quest to empower more youths in the state through its Skill Training and Entrepreneurship Programme, STEP, has retested some of the trainees of the Batch 3 graduatuants, who failed in the proficiency test that will qualify them to be given start kits and cash for takeoff.
At the event which was held at the office of the State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, off Marian Banbagida Way, today September 25, 2020, the beneficiaries numbering 26, were given start packs to startoff, after passing the proficiency tests organized for the 3rd Batch circle, which they failed the first and second tests.
The proficiency test, which qualified them for the government assistants is to ensure beneficiaries can perform well in the area they have been trained and also to ensure that starter pack is given to those who are qualify for it.
According to the office of the Job Creation of the state government, those who failed the first proficiency test were given one month to go and retrain at their own cost, then comes back to participate in the necessary procedures to ensure that they are qualify to be given the starter pack.
The 26 beneficiaries were trained in different field 2 in cosmetology, 3 in decoration and event management, 2 in fashion and design, 14 in hair dressing and 5 in plumbing.
Addressing the beneficiaries, the Chief Job Creation Officer, Prof. Eric Eboh, represented by Mr. Onisi Ukachi, said the items given to the beneficiaries were free, but the cash given to them is a soft loan to get shops, which will be paid back to the government, within 24 months, which thy have to start from the sixth month of take-off.
The State Government has also given sum amount of money to beneficiaries in other for them to be able to get a shop for themselves. The money is to be paid back to the State Government within the period of 24 months and they are to start payment after six months of startup.
Also speaking at the occasion, Barrister Tony Omonemu, SSA to Governor on wealth creation advised the beneficiaries to make good use of the opportunity given to them, and avoid selling the starter packs instead make a living out of it and also train others, make the state government proud for spending its resources on them.
In an interview, beneficiaries, Ajueyitsi Blessing one who was trained in hair dressing thanked the State Government for the program as it has helped many youths in the state. She encourage the youth to put up for the program and never to give up, even if they don’t get it in the first attempt they should keep on trying. She promised to start and train others too as soon as possible.
Another beneficiary, Godday who was trained on Event Management and Decoration, while appreciating the State Government for all items given to him, promised to make a living out of it, and train more youth on the skill he has acquired, said at first it was not easy but when he continued with the training he saw the need to know everything about the field.
