Kogi Govt Assures Youths of Skills Acquisition, Empowerment And Economic Prosperity

By, James Sani

The Kogi State Government has assured young people in the state of its firm commitment to policies and programmes designed to equip them with practical skills and create sustainable pathways to economic growth and self-reliance.

This assurance was given by the State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Hon. Aridaojo Monday Anyebe, in a message to the opening of a five-day workshop organised by the Nigeria Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) in collaboration with the Kogi State Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, held in Lokoja.

The Commissioner, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Momoh Steven Azzez, said the administration of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo remains fully supportive of youth emancipation and all round development of the state.

He described the workshop as a deliberate investment in human capital development, noting that the five-day programme covers Solar Energy Systems, Welding and Fabrication, ICT and Digital Literacy, Entrepreneurship and Financial Literacy, as well as Health, Safety and Environment (HSE).

“Today marks the beginning of an important journey, one, designed not only to transfer knowledge and practical skills but also to empower individuals, strengthen communities, and create opportunities for sustainable growth and self-reliance,” the Commissioner stated.

“These training areas were carefully selected because they address both present and future economic realities.

They are pathways to employment, enterprise development, innovation, and community transformation,” he added.

Hon. Anyebe urged participants to approach the programme with commitment, curiosity, and determination, encouraging them to ask questions, engage actively, and collaborate with one another.

He emphasised that the true value of the opportunity would be measured not merely by attendance, but by how effectively the knowledge gained is applied after the training.

Also speaking at the event, the Project Manager of Thermolinks Concept Ltd, Sodiq Adepoju, said the workshop was organised with the aim of empowering youths through training and employment.

He advised participants to take full advantage of the programme and become self-reliant, contributors to the growth of Kogi State and Nigeria at large.

Participants were drawn from from the youth group, women group and other interested individuals who were carefully selected by both the Ministries of Youth and Sports Development and that of Commerce and Industry.