Ododo Empowers Kogi Youths, Orders Monitoring Of Grant Beneficiaries

Kogi State governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to youth empowerment and entrepreneurship, directing the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development to establish effective monitoring mechanisms for beneficiaries of the state’s Youth Entrepreneurship and Business Grant Programme.

Ododo gave the directive in Lokoja yesterday while speaking through the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mrs Folashade Ayoade Arike, at the commencement of the grant programme.

The governor said the initiative was designed to strengthen the productive capacity of young people and enable them to become entrepreneurs, job creators and contributors to the state’s economic development.

Ayoade urged the beneficiaries to deploy the grants judiciously and regard the intervention as an opportunity to build sustainable businesses rather than merely receive financial assistance.

“Please and please make use of these grants. You were lucky to have somebody to say thank you and to help you. Please make good use of it,” she said.

She encouraged the beneficiaries not to be discouraged by the size of their businesses or their present circumstances, stressing that successful enterprises often emerge from humble beginnings.

“Where you’re starting does not matter. It is where God is taking you to,” the SSG said, urging the youths to remain focused, committed and determined to succeed.

Ayoade further directed the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development to ensure regular follow-up and monitoring of the beneficiaries, stressing that government’s responsibility should not end with the disbursement of the grants.

“Don’t just give these grants and close your eyes. Follow up on what they have achieved and encourage them,” she directed.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Hon Monday Aridojo Anyebe, described the programme as an investment in the human capital and economic future of the state rather than a mere grant scheme.

Anyebe said young Kogites were already demonstrating creativity and enterprise in agriculture, fashion, technology, food businesses and other sectors, but required the necessary support and enabling environment to transform their ideas into viable businesses.

He said the programme would equip participants with skills in business development, financial management, marketing, customer acquisition and responsible capital management.

According to him, successful businesses must provide solutions to societal challenges, urging the beneficiaries to identify problems they could solve through their enterprises and build businesses capable of surviving beyond the initial funding.

The commissioner also advised the beneficiaries to embrace mentorship, apply the knowledge acquired and use the grants responsibly, noting that the ultimate goal was to raise entrepreneurs capable of creating jobs and contributing meaningfully to Kogi State’s economic growth.

“An idea can change a life. A business can change a family. An entrepreneur can change a community. And a generation of empowered young entrepreneurs can change an entire state,” Anyebe said.