The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) has said it will partner with the Benue state government through its national skills aquisition training programme billed to commence in March to equip the youths to better utilise the N2b youth fund made available by the state government.
Consequently, about 5,000 new and sustainable jobs would be created within the state. The beneficiary will undergo training in bankable skills such as graphics design, animation, photo and video editing, software engineering, app development, modern animal husbandry techniques, repair and maintainance of computers and cellphones among other 21st century relevant skills.
NYCN President, Solomon Adodo who disclosed this at the weekend in Abuja when he presented an award to the Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom as ‘Governor of the Year 2020’ also said Nigerian youths decided to honour the governor for his resolve for youth development.
Adodo explained that Governor Ortom has over the years remained on the path of truth and justice in the administration of Benue state and never fell to the temptation of playing politically correctness card.
“Let us seize this opportunity to inform His Excellency, that the Skill Acquisition Trainings of the NYCN which starts in March will begin in Benue State which is the state most ready for the youths now in Nigeria.
“The Benue Youth Summit hosted by Dr. Ortom remains the largest democratic gathering of young people in any State in Nigeria to discuss their affairs in a transparent, sincere and productive manner. The N2 billion set aside for Youth Empowerment alone is also the one of the highest single youth intervention fund in any State in the history of Nigeria. And some of these are the reason why it would have been irresponsible for the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) not to have recognized the man who saw the future and went for it, even when it seemed not fashionable or even risky to do so, His Excellency, Dr. Samuel Ortom is truly a great leader with foresight.
“It was our Governor of the Year who saw the security challenges and economic senselessness in open grazing, and tackled it headlong. Today, those who pretended about it are coming back to reality, while Benue have moved on with ranching. This is why we say, the future is already here! He also consistently called for justice and attention to the youths. He foresaw the #EndSARS Protest of year 2020, but many other leaders were too myopic. The Protest happened, but Benue was one State were the impact was very minimal, not only because there is a Governor, but because there is a leader. It is worthy of note that there was no looting of any warehouses because the Governor did not hoard any Covid-19 Palliative or anything belonging to the people. So, when the future envisaged by his Excellency came sooner than even expected, he was home and dry with it, the NYCN President noted”.
He further charged other state governors to emulate Governor Ortom in their various state in prioritising youth empowerment stressing that when youths are gainfully engaged the various forms of ills on the country would be drastically reduced.
Responding, Gov. Ortom who was represented by his Special Adviser on Intergovernmental Affairs, Hon Shima Ayati stressed that no leadership that is futuristic overlooks the importance of youth for national development.
“NYCN represents a vehicle for vibrant youth movement and the governor is proud to identify with her. The governor is excited by the resolve of NYCN to begin it’s skills aquisition programme in Benue state and is willing to partner with the NYCN to ensure that youths are properly equipped to live a good life and contribute to nation development”.
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