Okowa administration committed to building young entrepreneurs - Egwunyenga ~ Truth Reporters

By Ese Obote-Ogwu 

The Commissioner for Youth Development in Delta State, Comrade Ifeanyi Egwunyenga, has reiterated the commitment of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa administration to building young entrepreneurs, saying it is paramount to the development of youth in the state. 

The commissioner who said this during a live interview on the program "State of the Nation", on Voice of Delta, Delta Broadcasting Service, Asaba, stated: "Over seven years, the Delta State Government has expanded her empowerment initiatives, in terms of capacity building and investment programme to engage youths in the state." 

He posited, saying: "The youths are structured into different categories to address their needs accordingly. Hence the different Youth Investment Programmes, ranging from Skills Training & Entrepreneurship Programme (STEP), Youth Agricultural Entrepreneurship Programme (YAGEP), Girl Child Entrepreneurship & Skills Training (PROJECT- GEST) Rural Youth Skill Acquisition Programme (RYSA), Tertiary Institutions Entrepreneurship Programme (TEP) and it goes on." 

When asked if youth investment programmes have helped curbed youth unrest, he affirmed "To to a large extent, with the government efforts and with the engagement of other critical youth sectors, youths have been constantly engaged, there has been interactions with various youth groups and also this administrations gives attention to the youth so, it has helped." 

He also stated that the Ministry of Youth Development had an open door policy to youths, which said, to a large extent had helped to manage the youths. 

The commissioner also revealed, saying: "Every ministry, department and agency (MDA) in job and wealth creation programmes, directed at youth development, meet periodically, to share thoughts and review processes, and created a database for people not to benefit twice from the various youth programmes."