Kogi Govt Equips 250 Youths with Vocational Skills for Economic Empowerment »

The Kogi State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to youth empowerment through vocational training, with Governor Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo pledging to train at least 1,000 youths annually as part of efforts to enhance human capital development.

Governor Ododo reiterated this commitment on Saturday during the graduation ceremony of 250 beneficiaries of the Ododo Youth Empowerment and Skills Acquisition Programme (OYESA). The initiative, designed to equip participants with industry-relevant skills, aims to boost employability and strengthen the state’s workforce.

The training program, implemented in collaboration with the Nigeria-Korea Friendship Institute for Vocational and Advanced Technology (NKFI), is structured to provide young people with specialized technical expertise tailored to industry demands. Speaking at the event, the Governor emphasized that the overarching goal is to train a minimum of 1,000 youths in high-demand vocational skills by 2027, positioning Kogi State as a hub for technical innovation and expertise.

Addressing the graduates at the Muhammadu Buhari Civic Center, Governor Ododo underscored the importance of a skilled workforce in driving economic growth, stating that a state with a robust pool of technical professionals is well-equipped for industrial advancement.

The first cohort of 250 trainees, drawn from the 21 local government areas of the state, received training in nine specialized fields, including: Automotive Mechatronics, Welding and Fabrication, Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Conversion, Networking and System Security, Software Development, Solar Power Installation, Cinematography and Photography, Plumbing and Fittings.

Governor Ododo highlighted the program’s immediate impact, revealing that several graduates, particularly in welding and Fabrication, have already secured employment opportunities. He further noted that the initiative aligns with the government’s strategy to reduce dependence on external contractors for state projects by leveraging local talent, thereby reducing costs while fostering economic self-reliance.

Beyond direct beneficiaries, the Governor projected that the program’s ripple effect would economically empower over 5,000 individuals, including trainees and their dependents. He directed commissioners, heads of parastatals, and agencies to actively engage the graduates in government projects and private-sector opportunities to ensure their skills are put to productive use.

Additionally, the Governor tasked the Kogi State Revenue Service with developing a business-friendly framework to support the new professionals as they establish their vocational enterprises. He also assured that the state would continue providing starter packs worth millions of naira to enable the graduates to launch their careers successfully.

Earlier in his remarks, the Commissioner for Special Duties and Inter-Government Affairs, Sunday Faleke, stressed the need for youths to embrace vocational skills over the pursuit of white-collar jobs. He urged the beneficiaries to maximize the opportunities provided by the program, not just for their personal advancement but also to contribute to the economic growth of their families and society at large.

Governor Ododo expressed confidence in the program’s long-term sustainability, stating that Kogi State is poised to become a model for vocational education and youth empowerment in Nigeria.