Ondo govt. partners CBN, SMEDAN to train 360 youths on entrepreneurship

Ondo State Government in conjunction with Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) and Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has started training over 360 youths on different business enterprise.

The three-day entrepreneurship programme organised by the Ministry of Youths and Sports Development with SMEDAN started on Monday and would end on Wednesday.

In a message to the event, Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State said that one of the major problems facing youths in the country was unemployment, hence the need to impart youths with entrepreneurial skills.

The governor, represented by his Deputy, Mr Agboola Ajayi, said that one of the core values of his government was human capital development, being the foundation of socio-economic growth of the state.

According to Akeredolu, over four million youths enter the labour market as against the available one million jobs.

“As our administration is committed to sustainable youth empowerment, this three-day capacity building training is intended to unlock and re-invent your creative potential and provide another opportunity for you to either start or scale up your existing businesses.

“We cannot pretend to be unaware of the teething challenges confronting entrepreneurs, notably the inability to access the initial capital outlay,’’ he said.

Akeredolu said the agricultural value chain business was significant aspect of his government’s plan to create jobs for unemployed youths and to grow the state economy.

He revealed that the business had engaged over 18,000 youths, with social protection and reinvestment programmes which had currently engaged about 50,000 youths through its various components.

Also, the commissioner for Youth and Sport Development, Mr Dotun Owanikin, said the programme showed the commitment of the governor towards youth development in the state.

He said the training would make the youths self-reliant and empower them to ensure a sustainable employment opportunities in the state.

Owanikin said that a minimum of 20 youths were selected from each local government adding, “what we are trying to do here is to start a chain of employment for the youths in the state.’’

Mr Biodun Ayedun, SMEDAN Coordinator in the state, commended the state government for giving the youths opportunity to be employers of labour.

Ayedun assured that after the training, the participants would be able to access loans of between N1 million and N10 million, payable after 18 months of collection with five per cent interest rate. (NAN)

Sanwo-olu urges police, security agencies to strengthen capacity with modern techniques, technology

Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State on Monday urged Nigeria Police and other security agencies to urgently step up their game and strengthen their capacity with modern techniques and technology.

Sanwo-Olu said this at a conference and retreat for senior police officers in Lagos with the theme: Re-positioning the Force for the Challenges of Effective Policing in the 21st Century.

Represented by his deputy, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, Sanwo-Olu said that a lot more needed to be done in combating terrorism, kidnapping, banditry, militancy and smuggling.

“Criminals are not taking a break or slowing down, therefore those tackling and containing them cannot afford to slow down.

“In an era where crime is largely aided by digital technology, it will be a futile effort to attempt confronting it with 20th century thinking,” Sanwo-Olu said.

He said that his administration had deployed proactive security initiatives such as Security Trust Fund and the activation and use of toll-free emergency numbers, 112 and 767.

The governor assured of the administration’s continued support for the work of law enforcement agencies, especially the police, in the discharge of their duties.

He emphasized the need for strong partnerships and collaboration across state borders for effective security.

“An effective security system is critical to achieving our collective aspiration in order to build a strong and prosperous economy.

“I hope the retreat will provide a platform for the development of new ideas that will improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the Nigeria Police in view of emerging and evolving threats to security and safety of lives and properties,” Sanwo-Olu said (NAN)