Kogi State Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has distributed starter packs to 250 youths as part of the Kogi Youth Empowerment and Skill Acquisition Programme(KOYESA).
The programme, which admitted its first set of trainees three months ago at the Nigeria-Korea Friendship Institute for Vocational and Advanced Technology (NKFI), marks a significant step in fostering local innovation and entrepreneurial skills among young people.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony held at the Mohammad Buhari Square in Lokoja, Governor Ododo reaffirmed his commitment to unlocking the potential of young people by equipping them with the technical expertise and entrepreneurial skills necessary to lead local innovation.
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He stressed that the initiative is not about training youths merely to seek jobs but about nurturing a generation of job creators.
“Each graduate received a registered business entity, initial startup capital, and essential tools and equipment to establish enterprises in high-demand fields such as welding and fabrication, solar system installation, CCTV setup, automobile mechanics, and compressed natural gas conversion and installation”, Governor Ododo stated.
The Governor also called on Ministries and heads of agencies to ensure these resources are fully utilized, emphasizing his belief in promoting home-grown and local entrepreneurship.
In addition, the Governor noted that his vision to train 1,000 youths annually, further positioning Kogi as a center of technical excellence and driving industrial growth and technological advancement in the state is well on course.
Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Sunday Faleke emphasised that this graduation signifies the visionary leadership of Governor Ododo which has created an enabling environment where vocational training thrives to equip young people with life-changing skills that will propel them toward self-sufficiency and entrepreneurship.
He stressed that the collaboration between the state government and the Korean government, through KOICA, is a testament to the power of international partnerships in advancing technical education.
Faleke emphasised that the Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs is committed to ensuring that this initiative expands beyond its current scope, incorporating new skills like event planning, furniture making, and textile design to meet evolving industry demands.
Earlier, the Rector of Nigeria-Korea Friendship Institute Williams Charles Oluwatoyin noted that Kogi State is no longer in deficit of qualified technicians, as the Institute has successfully built a database of skilled workers to meet the state’s technical needs.
He emphasized that the initiative, championed by Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo is not just empowering individuals but positioning Kogi as Nigeria’s emerging technology hub to serve as catalysts for economic transformation.
Accroding to him, the Kogi state government through investment in vocational and technical training for the young people is building a legacy of manpower development and proving that vocational and technical skills are not just alternatives but necessities for sustainable development in the society.
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