By Abah Benjamin Eneojoh
March 1, 2025
In a determined effort to tackle unemployment and promote youth empowerment, the Governor of Kogi State, His Excellency Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, has empowered over 200 youths through the Ododo Youth Empowerment and Skills Acquisition Program. Launched on November 18, 2024, the initiative aims to equip young individuals with vocational skills and starter packs, enabling them to become self-reliant entrepreneurs.
Addressing the graduating beneficiaries at Muhammadu Buhari Square, Lokoja, Governor Ododo reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to youth development and skill acquisition as a means to curb unemployment.
“Upon my inauguration, I promised that our youths would have greater opportunities to develop skills for innovation and creative enterprise. Today, that promise has been fulfilled through dynamic initiatives like the Kogi Youth Empowerment and Skills Acquisition Programme,” the governor declared.
Governor Ododo also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for fostering an enabling environment for youth empowerment in Kogi State. He assured the President of unwavering support from the state in the build-up to 2027.
As part of his administration’s efforts to ensure the sustainability of the program, the governor directed all state contractors to engage the services of the trained youths in their respective fields. Additionally, he instructed the Chairman of the Kogi State Internal Revenue Service to ease the tax burden on the newly trained entrepreneurs.
Comprehensive Training for Beneficiaries
The beneficiaries, carefully selected from across the state, underwent an intensive three-month training program at the Nigerian-Korea Friendship Institute (NKFI) in Lokoja. The training covered a wide range of technical and vocational skills, including:
- Automotive Mechatronics
- Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Conversion and Maintenance
- Welding and Fabrication
- Plumbing and Fittings
- Electrical Installations and Repairs
- Solar System Installation and Repairs
- Computer Hardware Maintenance and Repairs
- Networking and Systems Security
- CCTV Installation
- Photography
Throughout the training period, participants received monthly stipends and accommodation, ensuring that they could focus on mastering their respective vocations. Upon completion, they were awarded certificates of proficiency, starter packs, and registered business names to facilitate their transition into self-employment.
Commitment to Youth Development
Speaking at the event, the Honorable Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Sunday Faleke, lauded the program for producing over 200 skilled professionals across multiple vocations. He emphasized that the initiative is a testament to Governor Ododo’s unwavering commitment to youth empowerment, economic growth, and self-sufficiency.
The Ododo Youth Empowerment and Skills Acquisition Program is a clear demonstration of the Kogi State Government’s resolve to equip its youth with the necessary tools for a prosperous future. By investing in vocational training and entrepreneurship, the government aims to reduce unemployment, stimulate economic growth, and promote self-reliance among young people in the state.
This milestone event marks the beginning of a new chapter for the beneficiaries, as they embark on their journey toward entrepreneurship and financial independence.
