OBOREVWORI HARPS ON THE IMPORTANCE OF SKILL ACQUISITION TO SELF ACTUALIZATION

The training of youths and women in self actualising knowledge and skills to make them economically independent has been described as a most welcome development, especially given the prevailing economic situation in the country.

Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, stated this today in Asaba in his remarks at the Niger Delta Viewpoint Small and Medium Enterprises training workshop for selected youths and women in the state.

The Governor, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Hon Prince Johnson Erijo, noted that the time had come to wean the people, especially the youths, from sole dependence on government for the provision of all human capital development mechanism, especially through white collar jobs. 

He said it was obvious that government alone would not be able to employ everybody, making it a necessity to train the people in various areas so that they could become entrepreneurs, grow their businesses and become employers of labour.

Hon Oborevwori expressed delight that the programme would provide training in financial literacy, which would equip the participants with the knowledge of how to independently negotiate and access funds to grow their businesses.

The Governor stated that the acquisition of skills in various fields was another sure avenue for self development and empowerment, disclosing that in the past few years, the state government had trained thousands of youths in skills acquisition in various fields and empowered them to start their chosen businesses 

He said though the government had created a sizeable pool of entrepreneurs capable of revolutionising SMEs in the state, more still needed to be done and commended the organizers of the programme, KUDIMATA, for the initiative, which covered  catering, fashion design, ICT,  farming, manufacturing and the creative industry. 

Earlier, the Founder and Group Managing Director, Kudimata Nig. Ltd, Mrs Kathleen Erhimu, said the programme was designed to drastically change the mindset of the participants and empower them to create economic values in their various businesses, where the Niger Delta region and Delta in particular had comparative advantage. 

Mrs Erhimu maintained that empowerment was not all about giving money to the beneficiaries, stressing that empowering the mind was key to growing any business, as imparted knowledge and skills were much more than monetary gains.

She commended the Delta State Government for the various job and wealth creation programmes put in place to empower the youths, promising that the organisation would continue to help youths and women in the state to actualize their potentials.

The event featured talks by some successful young entrepreneurs, goodwill messages and ceremonial presentation of cheques to beneficiaries of the empowerment programme..