In line with the government’s focus on human capacity development, the Edo State Government has launched a five-month training on business development and sustainability for youths and women in oil-producing communities in the state, through the state’s Oil and Gas Producing Areas Development Commission.
Pastor Kennedy Osifo, the Chairman of the Commission, said this during a sensitization visit to Ologbo Community, one of the 33 oil communities within EDSOGPADEC’s jurisdiction.
According to him, the government’s commitment to human capacity development mandated the establishment of the Human Capital Development Department, which was authorized by the EDSOGPADEC Board of Directors.
“The Commission has concentrated on infrastructure renovation of roads, schools, primary healthcare centers, abattoirs, and open market, among other things, since its inception,” Osifo stated. However, in keeping with its basic purpose, EDSOGPADEC’s new focus is now on human capital development.
“This is also in line with the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration’s Making Edo Great Again agenda. We are confident that when the youths are empowered, it will help to end age-long agitations for development, as the Commission is a creation of agitation and must do the right thing to address the issues and achieve the purpose for which it was created.”
Princess Iku Ewuare Aimiuwu, the Commissioner for Edo South in the Commission and Supervisor of Human Capital Development, stated that the empowerment initiative is aimed at youth and women.
She revealed that the training program would be divided into two sessions, each lasting five months, after which the trainees would be established in their various skills or fields and able to start their businesses, adding that they would be monitored and guided on how to run their businesses successfully.
Mr. Godwin Ogieriakhi, Director of the Human Capital Development Department, said the empowerment initiative will benefit 50 people from each of the state’s three oil-producing local governments in the initial phase.
Ada Peter
