Amukpe, a sleepy town in Sapele Local Government Area wore a carnival look as the Job and Wealth Creation Scheme of the Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s S.M.A.R.T agenda was formally inaugurated. Inside Songhai Delta, venue of the inauguration of the Skills Training and Entrepreneurship Programme (STEP) and Youth Agricultural Entrepreneurs Programme (YAGEP), excited participants beamed with joy as they commenced their journey to becoming self-employed.
The Job and Wealth Creation Scheme tagged OkowaPlus was introduced in June to tackle the problem of youth unemployment and create wealth. Over 70,000 persons applied to be enlisted in the scheme which also included Production Processing and Support Programme (PPSP), Development of Agro-Industries and Extension of Microcredit.
After three rounds of interviews across the three Senatorial Districts, successful candidates were invited for one-week orientation programme at Songhai Delta. The programme featured modules in personal branding, leadership development, business management and problem solving, which Governor Okowa said were critical ingredients for becoming successful entrepreneurs.
In his address, Dr Okowa asserted that “today’s event is undeniable proof that our administration’s S.M.A.R.T agenda is well and truly on course. Job and wealth creation are the bedrock of the S.M.A.R.T agenda, with YAGEP and STEP as the flagship.” According to the Governor ,”all the programmes have been strategically designed, stringently planned and specifically tailored to tackle the problem of youth unemployment and produce lasting and sustainable prosperity across board.”
Turning to the participants, Governor Okowa said: “After this orientation programme, you are expected to proceed to various skills training centres to obtain the requisite technical/vocational skills after which you will embark on an internship in an existing business set-up in your chosen field. The last week of your training will bring you back here to SONGHAI-DELTA for a rigorous and robust education in entrepreneurship and business management. Graduates will then be given starter packs to start their businesses.
He drew a difference between OkowaPlus and similar programmes in the past. “While previous programmes sought to prepare people for employment, the Job and Wealth Creation Scheme seeks to produce wealth creators and job creators; critical differences also exist in the selection and screening process, training approach, management system, and collaboration with the organised private sector,” adding: “this scheme is not your typical empowerment programme that is often cash-based; it is a wealth and job creation scheme, it is not about skills acquisition; it is about building a knowledge economy and the aim is to equip participants with the technical know-how, vocational/technical skills, values and resources to become self-employed and employers of labour.”
The Governor explained that his administration’s interest in Micro, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (MSMEs) was driven by their potential for tackling youth unemployment. According to him, more than 90 per cent of businesses in Nigeria employ less than one hundred persons which put them in Micro, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (MSMEs) category, asserting that was a sector that can get most Nigerian youths off the street.
The Chief Job Creation Officer for Delta State, Professor Eric Eboh, had described the programmes as a success so far, assuring Deltans that both programmes will be carried through to fruition. Addressing newsmen upon conclusion of the interview phase of the programme in Delta South Senatorial District, Eboh while reiterating the importance of both initiatives to the success of Governor Okowa’s S.M.A.R.T. Agenda, asserted that the exercise was in furtherance of the Governor’s Prosperity for All Deltans mantra.
According to Eboh, “the success recorded so far at this stage of the programme is all the more heartwarming as it is indicative of the fact that this administration is determined to deliver on Governor Okowa’s vision of building entrepreneurs, who will be self-employed and who will in turn be in a position to create employment opportunities for others.”
Noting that Governor Okowa had charged the job creation team of the administration to ensure the success of the programme, Eboh insisted that the team would leave no stone unturned in delivering on the Governor’s vision for massive job and wealth creation in the state.
It will be recalled that Governor Okowa had indicated his vision of economic empowerment with a focus on entrepreneurship rather than mere recruitment in tandem with his philosophy of economic renewal that enables citizens of the state stand on their own economically as entrepreneurs capable of providing further employment for their fellow citizens. The YAGEP and STEP programmes were therefore packaged for the proliferation of small and medium scale enterprises which the state government insists are the bedrock of any successful economy anywhere in the world.
Participants from across the Senatorial District commended the manner in which the interview was conducted, noting that it was characterized by transparency and inclusiveness while being devoid of favoritism as many of them expressed surprise that they never relied on godfathers to qualify for the exercise.
Many also expressed hope that the Governor’s pan-Deltan approach to economically empowering Deltans is sustained and not hijacked by those who may not be on the same page with the Governor in what they see as his genuine desire to create jobs and wealth for the citizens of the state.
One of the participants from Delta South, Oritseweyinmi Davidson, equally advised that all hands should be on deck to ensure similar success of the exercise in Delta Central and Delta North Senatorial Districts, insisting that “the transparent success of the entire programme will further accentuate Governor Okowa’s credentials as a truly detribalized and people-focused pan-Deltan Governor.”
A participant from Delta Central Senatorial District, Helen Adjobome, commended the Governor for what she described as the all-inclusive approach of the economic empowerment exercise.
Another participant from Delta North Senatorial District, Vincent Okolotu, appreciated the state government for the initiative, noting that the idea of job creation through entrepreneurship demonstrated “Governor Okowa’s proactive approach to job creation.”
However, Special Assistant to the Governor on News Media, Mr. Michael Tidi, had assured all participants that what they were witnessing was merely a tip of the iceberg of what the Okowa administration has in store for the economic revamping of the state, while asserting that the twin programmes were “essentially a testament to the commitment of Governor Okowa to the economic empowerment and social uplift of citizens of the state who have been unfortunately excluded from participation in the socio-economic life of our dear state.”
While pointing out that the challenge of taking citizens out of the poverty trap requires innovative thinking, the media aide stated that seeing such programmes to fruition remains a cardinal objective of the Okowa administration.
Mr Tidi, said the exercise was deliberately anchored by Governor Okowa on the principles of inclusiveness, merit and transparency in consonance with Okowa’s desire to institute, nurture and sustain a paradigm shift in governance in the state.
The official flag off of the job creation initiative of the administration involving one thousand, six hundred and forty-five youths was superintended by Delta State Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa himself.
The Commissioner for Economic Planning in the state, Hon. Kingsley Emu had in a welcome address said, the participants’ spirit are high and assured that at the end of the day, they will surpass the governor’s expectations.
Also, the Sole Administrator of Songhai-Delta Dr Theophilus Okpidi, in an address, thanked Governor Okowa for revamping the centre, adding, “I salute your courage and pray that God will make ways for you and direct your steps towards the actualization of the job and wealth creation scheme for the benefits of Deltans.”
The inauguration which was laced with cultural and other skillful display by the trainees had in attendance the representative of His Royal Majesty, Orhue I, CFR, the Orodje of Okpe, elder statesman and retired judge, Chief (Hon. Justice) D.E Uwerhiavwe (rtd), the Otota of Okpe Kingdom, who in appreciating the job creation drive of Dr. Okowa had prayed for the governor, stating that “the best I can say about you is that God will be with you and lead you through your efforts in life” adding that he hoped that the trainees would contribute their quota in building “a very good future for our country”.
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