Kogi State Governor, His Excellency Alh. Ahmed Usman Ododo, FCA, has called on young people in the state to support the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, saying the President’s youth-centred reforms and empowerment programmes are laying the foundation for sustainable economic growth and shared prosperity across the country.
The Governor made the call on Monday in Abuja while inaugurating the Kogi Youth Mining and Jewellery Craftsmanship Empowerment Programme, a strategic initiative of the Kogi State Government designed to equip young people with globally competitive skills in the mining and jewellery value chain.
Governor Ododo said the Tinubu administration has demonstrated a clear commitment to empowering Nigerian youths through transformative policies and targeted interventions aimed at promoting entrepreneurship, reducing unemployment and creating sustainable sources of income.
According to him, the Federal Government’s investments in youth development represent a new direction in governance where young people are not merely beneficiaries of government programmes but are being equipped to become creators of wealth and drivers of economic growth.
“I urge our young people to appreciate the commitment President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has shown towards their future. The opportunities being created today are designed to prepare you for tomorrow. The best way to reciprocate this commitment is through hard work, discipline, patriotism and a determination to succeed,” the Governor said.
Governor Ododo reiterated his administration’s resolve to continue investing in initiatives that empower youths with practical skills capable of transforming their lives, stressing that Kogi’s development agenda is anchored on building a generation of productive entrepreneurs rather than creating dependence on government support.
“Our objective is not to give you temporary assistance but to equip you with lifelong skills that will make you financially independent, create employment for others and contribute meaningfully to the economy of our state and our nation,” he stated.
Congratulating participants selected for the inaugural batch of the programme, the Governor noted that Kogi State is richly endowed with 32 commercially viable solid minerals, describing the sector as one of the state’s greatest economic assets with enormous potential for job creation, industrial development and wealth generation.
He urged the beneficiaries to maximise the opportunity by dedicating themselves to the intensive training, assuring them that the knowledge and technical expertise they would acquire would position them to compete favourably in both domestic and international markets.
Governor Ododo also commended the programme’s technical partner, Malivelihood, for partnering with the Kogi State Government to develop a highly skilled workforce capable of adding value to the state’s abundant mineral resources.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Miss Chubiojo Faith Omachi from Ofu Local Government Area thanked the Governor for investing in the future of Kogi youths through skills acquisition and entrepreneurship development.
She pledged that the participants would make the most of the opportunity by applying the knowledge gained to build sustainable businesses while transferring the skills to other young people within their communities.
The Commissioner for Solid Minerals and Natural Resources, Engr. Bashir Gegu, described the initiative as another demonstration of Governor Ododo’s unwavering commitment to youth empowerment through sustainable economic opportunities.
He encouraged the participants to remain focused throughout the training, noting that the programme provides a rare opportunity to build rewarding careers in one of Nigeria’s fastest-growing economic sectors.
Earlier, the Managing Director of Malivelihood, Dr. Olushola M. Awujoola, disclosed that the programme attracted 16,900 applications from across Nigeria, with 13,900 applications successfully processed. He said 20 outstanding candidates were selected for the pioneer batch, adding that subsequent batches would commence immediately after the completion of the first phase.
Dr. Awujoola commended the Kogi State Government for its vision in developing the capacity of young people and assured Governor Ododo that the beneficiaries would receive world-class training that meets international standards and prepares them for successful careers in the mining and jewellery industry.
