By Michael Odiah,
Delta State Governor, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa has reassured Deltans of his commitment towards prosperity for all, promising to increase his Job Creation drive for the teeming youths and unemployed in his second tenure.
Governor Okowa made this pledge on Thursday, January 24, 2019, in Asaba at the second Job Creation Exhibition for beneficiaries of Skill Training and Entrepreneurship Programme (STEP),Youth Agricultural Entrepreneurship Programme (YAGEP) and Graduates Employment Enhancement Programme (GEEP) skill acquisition and entrepreneurial programmes overseen by the Job Creation Office headed by Professor Eric Eboh.
Okowa said; “I want to reassure Delta youths that we are just beginning. This is the foundation. As I did promise, whatever we are doing in every area of development, empowerment of our youths through entrepreneurship, through other forms of skills acquisition, that we have been giving to our people, In my second tenure because things are better and we have laid a solid foundation, whatever we are doing is a commitment and a promise to Deltans, it will be times three what we are doing at the moment”.
“I am one person that is careful at doing things, I want to be sure that we have laid the right foundation, and I’m convinced that today, through the training programmes, the establishment, the monitoring and mentoring programmes, that we are a success story. So now that we have found that we are a success story and a foundation is laid, it’s only important that we build on that foundation rapidly, the fear of failure is no more there and therefore, our own is to begin to put the resources down and to be able to encourage more and more of our youths to be entrepreneurs of their own and be rest assured that the minimum we can go through the Job Creation Office, is three times what we are doing at the moment starting from May 29, 2019.” Governor Okowa emphasized.
The Chairman, steering committee on Job Creation in the state and the State Commissioner for Economic Planning, Mr. Kingsley Emu appreciated Governor Okowa for his commitment towards Job Creation for Deltans, stressing that, “we have moved from evident significant growth to growth. Governor Okowa has made a promise and kept his promise in all ramifications”.
In his speech, the Chief Job Creation Officer, Prof. Eric Eboh, urged God fearing Deltans to patronize the exhibitionists as the exhibition would last for two days, and as for those visiting the United Kingdom, Eboh said, “when next you visit the UK , look out for Delta Yellow Garri which comes in 2kg and 5kg packs, it is hygienically prepared from the best cassava in Delta state”
A beneficiary of the Job Creation programme, Mr Chinweike Nwankwo, founder and CEO of Chiwinkx Fish Farm in his testimony, said, “upon completion of the training cycle, I was empowered with 2500 fingerlings, 145 bags of feed, seven concrete tanks to start and I have grown tremendously. I currently have 9 plus ponds and I currently have four staffs that are under my payroll.
“By the grace of God, we train Corps members and over the years and we make it a call of duty to ensure that at least 15 Corps members are trained every year free of charge. Over the years primary and secondary schools have been coming over for field trips and excursions.”
While appreciating Governor Okowa’s effort in creating jobs for the youths, Nwankwo hinted that his farm is currently into the processing of packaged dried smoked fish sold across the country and a little outside the country.
“Sir, I’m grateful for the growth so far. I want to say that you have given us a platform. You have given us an opportunity to dream big and from the bottom of our hearts, we say thank you”
