Loveth Okoli
Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta has reaffirmed his commitment to the support and growth of Micro, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (MSMEs) through the implementation of entrepreneurship development programmes in the state.
The governor disclosed this at the graduation of 437 pilot trainees of the state government’s Girls Entrepreneurship and Skills Training Programme (GEST), in Asaba.
He said that his administration would not relent in the endeavour until it achieved a critical mass of MSMEs that would drive economic diversification and business competitiveness in the state.
According to him, the results from other empowerment programmes of the state government, such as STEP and YAGEP. have fuelled the resolve of his administration to continue to invest in youths in the state.
“Six months ago, we began the journey of equipping our young women, between the ages of 18 and 30, with the knowledge and skills to become self-reliant and wealth creators, under the Girls’ Entrepreneurship and Skills Training (GEST) programme.
“Today, we are reaping the first fruits of our investment. Out of a total of 450 participants, 437 of them are to be resourced with the tools to start their enterprises.
“Thirteen of them could not make it for reasons ranging from truancy, to flunking the proficiency test. Still, with over 97 per cent success rate, it is a testament to the credibility of the selection process and quality of the training regime”.
Okowa thanked the staff of the Girl Child Empowerment Office, for their dedication and unwavering determination to see that the young women succeeded in life.
He said that a lot of small businesses, impacting directly on the family-economies, were springing up across the state and were helping in addressing youth unemployment.
“Not only have the lives of these beneficiaries changed, they are also training others, who then go on to become self-employed. In a few years to come, I am hopeful that Delta State will become the hub of MSMEs, as these enterprises break new grounds in the export market.
“I expect this pioneer group of GEST graduates to continue on the same path of success and innovation.
“My confidence is based on the fact that the training template is the same and has proved to be very enriching, enabling and empowering,’’ he said.
While congratulating the young entrepreneurs on their graduation from the GEST programme, the governor urged them to make it a priority to set goals for their businesses.
” Define your markets, keep learning, ensure proper book-keeping, strive for excellence and be persistent. You should also look for opportunities to develop multiple streams of income,” he said.
In his remarks, former Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, said he was delighted to be at the ceremony, while commending Gov. Okowa for his inspiring achievements in infrastructure and human capital development.
He charged the graduands of the entrepreneurial training programme to remain focused and committed to their respective enterprises, saying that other states in the country would do well to emulate Delta.
Earlier, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Girl-Child Empowerment, Mrs Marilyn Okowa-Daramola, said that the GEST project was an initiative of the state government aimed at creating a new and vibrant generation of empowered and skilled young women.
She cited the women as those that would be equipped with necessary skills to turn around current circumstances of their families, disclosing that no fewer than 6,000 applications were received when the project was announced.
Okowa-Daramola, however, said that out of the figure, only 450 were selected from across the 25 local government areas of the state, as pilot trainees of the programme, after sifting for exams and interviews.
While congratulating the graduands, the governor’s aide urged them to understand that the new skills they had acquired attracted greater responsibilities, and that they should remain firm in their business endeavours.
