By Lucky Isibor
The Director General of Prince Harrison Ehimiyen Foundation, Mr Gabriel Benjamin has reiterated the prime place of Nigerian youths in our socio-economic development, asserting that the youths represent the most abundant asset in the country.
Benjamin made this declaration in Benin City Thursday, during the youth empowerment program of the foundation.
The youth empowerment of the foundation which is worth N100,000 for eighteen beneficiaries according to Benjamin is its modest contribution to the creation of a better society for the youths and assisting the government in job and wealth creation.
Benjamin disclosed that the empowerment is for innovative youths with fundable business ideas and potential to reduce unemployment their community.
“This entrepreneurship programme is designed to support and activate the capacity building of entrepreneurs across the state and beyond with business ideas that could be funded, and those who are poise to solving unemployment problem in their respective communities.”
While appealing to governments at various levels and well meaning individuals to assist in making more funds available to the foundation to increase the number of beneficiaries, Benjamin said, “more funds need to be made available and easily accessible to potential young entrepreneurs both by the government and well-spirited individuals. This will create productive jobs for the youth and tackle significantly unemployment problem”.
The Edo State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs Magdalene Ohenhen noted that this is the first of its kind for a young man like Harrison Ehimiyen to empower people in the state.
The Commissioner who was represented by an official of the ministry, Mrs Regina Iyoha, while thanking Ehimiyen for the gesture said, “this kind of thing is done by leaders in power but in this case is different”.
Speaking on behalf of other beneficiaries, Osagiede Stephen thanked the foundation for giving them the opportunity to receive the sum of 100.000 and promised that the fund would be used for the purpose it is meant for so as to give opportunity for others to benefit people.