In furtherance of its quest to reduce unemployment among youths in the state, Ekiti State Government has commenced Entrepreneurship Development Programme (EDP) aimed at training graduates in entrepreneurial skill in order to make them self-reliant and employers of labour.
The State Governor, Engr. Segun Oni, said in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Wale Ojo Lanre, that the first phase of the programme,which started today, would be on for three months, during which 97 graduates of various disciplines will receive training.
“Today, we took another major step towards reducing poverty level in the state, by kicking off the training of 97 graduate youths of Ekiti State origin in entrepreneurial skill for youth empowerment and employment creation.
“The 97 youths, who are first degree and Higher National Diploma (HND) holders, were carefully selected from thousands of applicants that applied for the programme.
“They are going to attend the programme for three months, during which they will receive stipend from the government as upkeep allowance.
“After completion of the training, take-off capital ranging from N2 to N5 million would be made available to each of the youths to set up businesses of their choice. They are also going to be placed on salary by the state government for 12 months so as to prevent them from spending from their take-off capital, while nurturing the business. They will also remain under mentorship of top entrepreneurs during this period.
“Our projection is that, at least, 25 per cent of the youths being trained now would become successful entrepreneurs and employers of labour in the nearest future,” the governor said.
Shedding more light on the programme, the Coordinator, Mr. Femi Oyeobu, described it as first of its kinds in the country, adding that the second phase would commence January next year.
He said the programme would run for five working days in a week and 60 days in three months.
He said: “This programme is one of its kind in this country and the benefits are enormous. Apart from making the youths self-reliant, it is also going to make them employers of labour. We are also sure that we are going to produce big time business men and women of Ekiti State origin.
“The youths are going to be taken through various aspects of entrepreneurship, after which they will be provided with fund to establish their own businesses.”
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