In his drive to reduce unemployment in the state and promote self reliance, the governor of Ondo state, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has said that his administration has trained over 10,000 youths in various skills across the state.
The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Olayide Adelami, made this known in Akure on Thursday, at a Youth Parley organized by the Ondo state ministry of youths and sports development.
He said, “considering the importance of entrepreneurship development as panacea to unemployment and catalyst to job creation, our administration established an entrepreneurship agency – The Ondo State Entrepreneurship Agency (ONDEA) with the mission of poverty reduction, job creation and economic development through entrepreneurship. Through this agency we have trained over 10,000 people, especially the youths in various skills throughout the state”.
Aiyedatiwa said his administration will continue to prioritise Investment in the youth as encapsulated in its REDEEMED policy thrust.
According to him, “the core value of our agenda is Human Capital Development, which is the foundation for socioeconomic growth of our dear state. It should be noted, however, that given the present economic situation, the state resources are very limited to adequately invest In our youth for them to meet international standard and compete globally.
“This is why it becomes imperative for the intervention of the private sector to support with the much needed resources to drive our all-round development to the next level in line with the Public-Private Partnership Initiative.”
The Guest Speaker, Jeffry Olu-Abidoye, who spoke on the theme, ‘Value Re-orientation: Panacea for Sustainable Development in Ondo State’, appealed to young people to prepare themselves for leadership tasks to aid the development of the country.
He regretted that the inability of the present day young people to listen to wise counsels of elders are the reasons for the present predicaments confronting them today.
On his part, the Ondo state Head of Service, Bayo Philip, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry of youth and sports development, Foluke Tunde-Daramola, said the essence of the programme was to redirect the minds of youths of the state towards good citizenship and high moral standing.
The programme brought together youth activists, youth organisations, student union leaders, corp members, secondary school students and opinion moulders.
John Paul Akinduro
Spokesperson to Ondo State Deputy Governor
March 7, 2024