OkOWA SMART AGENDA: Our goal is to build entrepreneurs that can Become Employers of labour – Eboh

By Francis Sadhere

Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa’s promise to create jobs and employment opportunities for the teeming unemployed youths in the state seems to have started on a positive note as it has started screening its first badge of youths that will be trained in agricultural and entrepreneurship skills program.

Accordingly to the Chief Job Creation Officer of the state, Professor Eric Eboh, the aim of the program is to build entrepreneurs that will be self-employed and be able to create employment for others.

Prof. Eboh who spoke to journalists at the Warri South Council area of the state, one of the venue of the screening exercise, told journalists that the aim of the exercise was to screen the best candidates who will be committed and dedicated to the program.

He said: “This program is an integral part of Governor Okowa’s SMART agenda of job and wealth creation. As you know very well his Excellency has promise prosperity for all Deltas. And that prosperity is being delivered through the SMART agenda. That SMART agenda focuses on job creation because it is through job creation that wealth can be created. Today we are conducting interviews for the Youths Agricultural Entrepreneurship Program and the Skills Training Entrepreneurship Program.”

He said the governor had committed them to ensure that those that will participate in the program will become ambassadors of the Okowa’s SMART agenda, and can do the state proud anywhere the find themselves.

He revealed that 150 applicants would be screened at each of the screening locations which included Bomadi and Oleh local government areas of the state.

On the preparedness of the state government to continue with the program, Prof. Eboh said the budget set aside for the program will be subject to revision all the time to accommodate changing trend in the state’s economy.

He noted that the selection process was very transparent as all the candidates selected for screening did not go through any third party to be selected, adding the mission of the state government is to create job opportunities for Deltans irrespective of their political, tribal and religious affiliation.

Speaking on rumuors going on in some quarters that some of those who applied for the program were employees, the Chief Job Creation Officer of the state debunked such rumors saying the program is specifically for unemployed youths who are between the ages of 18-35.

Prof. Eboh added that at the end of training, the state government has already set up machinery in place to monitor and mentor all those that will participate in the program and ensure that they succeed in their businesses.