Nigerian Government partners with Development Commission on Youths Empowerment

The Nigerian Government is partnering with the Justice, Development and Peace Commission, JDPC, Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja on Youth Entrepreneurship Development Scheme.

Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, stated this in Abuja during the launch of the “Youth Entrepreneurship Development Scheme.”

The Minister also commended “JDPC for organising a unique and impactful empowerment programme for Nigeria’s teeming Youths, saying “Entrepreneurs are investors in all forms of talent or Skills, whether self-owned or belonging to others.”

According to Dr Ngige, “the most renowned entrepreneurs have combined creative flair with entrepreneurial ability to build multimillion-dollar empires both locally and internationally.”

He further said that “Nigerian Government under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari has placed emphasis on Youth skills development and entrepreneurship with a keen need to ensure that the youth master specific skills, hence the establishment of 27 Skills Upgrading and Vocational Training Centres nationwide.

These centres are fully equipped to train youth in over with over 60 specific skills and trades. The mission and vision has also been complemented by other private institutions and faith based organisations skills acquisition and entrepreneurship across the country.”

While urging the youths to leverage from the opportunity, the Programme Director, JDPC, Mr Timothy Ejeh noted that the Commission aims to ignite and sustain the spirit of entrepreneurship among the young people, inspire a value re-orientation and transform them into creators of wealth and employment.

It also aims towards reducing poverty-driven vulnerabilities such as irregular migration, victimhood of human trafficking, thuggery, armed robbery and other vices”.

The  Archbishop of the Archdiocese, His Grace Ignatius Kaigama called on well meaning Nigerians to collaborate towards tackling the needs of the nation’s teeming youths.

In his words “the Catholic church will continue to do her best while urging the government to plan for the young people. They are the hope of this country, they are the present and the future so we must leave something for them and we can work in collaboration –government and the voluntary bodies, the religious organisations together we can do a lot. Well I say to the youths, don’t be discouraged, don’t be frustrated, look ahead with optimism and God will provide”

Other dignitaries in attendance were; the Executive Director, JDPC, Reverend Fr Solomon Uko, Chairman, Youth Commission, Archdiocese of Abuja, Reverend Fr Moses Akuhwa, the Deputy Country Representative, Catholic Relief Services Mr Dane Fredinburg, President UTUK Foundation, Emrah Ilgen amongst others.

Mercy Chukwdiebere