AMUKPE/Nigeria: Delta State Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa has flagged off the third phase of the Job and Wealth Creation Scheme of the State Government with a call on the over 700 selected youths to use the opportunity of the programme to rebrand themselves so they can become self reliance.
The inauguration ceremony which was performed at SONGHAI-DELTA in Amukpe was the highlight of the Orientation Programme organised for the 2018 batch A, of trainees drawn from the 25 local government areas of the State for the Youth Agricultural Entrepreneurs Programme (YAGEP) and Skills Training and Entrepreneurship Programme (STEP).
The Chief Job Creation Officer of the State, Prof. Eric Eboh, who stood in for the governor said; “the overall strategy of the job creation scheme is to equip unemployed youths with the technical know-how, vocational skills, values and resources to become self-employed and employers of labour.”
He said the 2017 / 2018 cycle has two categories, “Brown STEP” and “Green STEP”, explaining that the “Brown STEP” is made up of candidates who have learnt skills through personal sponsorship, but requires assistance to be established in their various areas of vocational skills while the “Green STEP” comprises fresh candidates who want to learn skills and be established through STEP in addition to those who want to be trained in YAGEP.”
The training module for the three days Orientation Programme includes courses in personal effectiveness, leadership and problem-solving, stage-setting, experience sharing, effective time management, branding etc designed to give participants the requisite life skills and mind-set change essential for them to become successful entrepreneurs. Prof. Eboh further explained that the “curriculum is designed to expose participants to both theoretical instruction and hands-on experience in existing enterprises. Training based on standard fit-for-purpose modules for the enterprise or trade.”
Prof Eboh said that after the Orientation Programme participants will further undergo apprenticeship training in selected training centres after which they will proceed for internship in existing businesses in their chosen field. The training will then be rounded up with an intensive course on entrepreneurship and business management at Songhai-Delta after which graduates will be given starter packs to start their businesses.
“Before you can manage a successful business you must first manage yourself. In the office of the Chief Jobs Creation, we have brand which is anchor on three principles; integrity, quality, and efficiency. The question is what is your brand? What does a person know you for? Our goal is to transform Delta youths into economic agents of society. This programme is packaged to make you succeed.” Eboh stated.
The Chief Job Creation Officer said; “The scheme is to be carried out in successive phases to tackle youth unemployment in our society,” he reiterated, saying, “Since the scheme is continuing, those who are not taken in the first phase will have the opportunity to take part in subsequent phases.”
According to him; “This programme is running the third cycle, which underscores the importance the Okowa led administration attached to the scheme. This orientation course is to prepare the minds of the trainees.”
In less than three years of this administration, 2,324 youths have been trained, nurtured and established in their choice enterprises under the Skills Training and Entrepreneurship Programme (STEP) and the Youth Agricultural Entrepreneurs Programme (YAGEP). Testimonies abound of their success stories as the impact of the programme is being felt by the beneficiaries who are no longer job seekers, but have become trainers and employers of labour.”
One of the beneficiaries, Mr. Ogbeingbene Evans, from Bomadi LGA, described the programme life changing opportunity even as he commended the state government for setting up the programme.
