Delta employs 2,500 under youth empowerment scheme

Trains 29 physically challenged persons

DELTA state government has empowered over 2,500 unemployed youths and transformed them into owners of businesses and employers of labour under its job creation scheme.

The Secretary to the Delta State Government, Mr. Festus Ovie Agas, who disclosed this in Asaba recently said that the initiative was aimed at fulfilling the fundamental policy thrust of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa-led administration, which is anchored on wealth creation and prosperity for the people.

Agas said the success of the schemes has attracted commendations and support of many national and international institutions, including the World Bank, which became a co-sponsor for the third-cycle of the programme.

He said: “The State Government has redoubled its efforts in engaging Deltans especially the youths in meaningful ventures through various skill acquisition programmes such as the Youth Agricultural Entrepreneur Programme (YAGEP) and Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Programme (STEP).” Meanwhile, twenty-nine Persons with Disabilities (Pwds) have been included as trainees in the next batch of the Delta State Job Creation Programme, Skills Training and Entrepreneurship Programme (STEP).

The Commissioner for Women Affairs, Social and Community Development, Rev. Omatsola Williams, who disclosed this in Asaba, said the inclusion of Pwds into the job creation programme was in fulfilment Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s promise of prosperity for the people. Mrs. Williams affirmed that the orientation programme was to enlighten the trainees towards the smooth implementation of the programme so as to achieve the desired results.

She pointed out that 51 Pwds benefitted in the 2016/2017 cycle, while an additional 29 were to be trained in the 2017/2018 cycle as the second set, adding that the beneficiaries were evenly selected from every local government area across the state on cluster to cluster basis.