Executive Assistant to Delta State Governor on Communications, Dr Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe Esq, has said that the Youth Agriculture Entrepreneurship Programme, YAGEP, has contributed immensely to the state food basket as well as some raw materials needed for industries.
The Eacgov made the assertion when he received in audience, Hon Frank Ubieto, a beneficiary of YAGEP programme and a youth leader in Egbo Ward, Ethiope East Local Government Area of the state.
He dislcosed that the numerous efforts of the Okowa administration in taking youth out of the already congested labour market, and making them successful entrepreneurs and employers of labour through Yagep, Step, Rysa and Gest Projects, had paid off tremendously and still counting.
The Eacgov further posited that food security in Delta is now a reality as a result of the productive steps taken by YAGEP youth farmers, pointing out that in the past six years over 100,000 youth benefited from the various skills acquisitions and empowerment programmes, which is first of its kind by a state governor since the advent of constitutional democracy in Nigeria.
He further disclosed that the federal government and several other states in Nigeria, have since adopted the Okowa’s model for youth empowerment and wealth creation, and that governor Okowa, had also gone ahead to expand the programmes to include Girl Child, Women and Rural Youth entrepreneurial scheme based on local government structures for socioeconomic transformation.
Oghenesivbe urged youth in the state to shun advance fee fraud, also known as yahoo and Yahoo plus cum ritual money making criminal activities, so as to avoid the negative spiritual consequences and criminal prosecution which ultimately will land many of the perpetuators in jail either now or in the future.
He said governor Okowa, is very passionate about youth skills acquisition and he strongly believe that youth entrepreneurship is one of the credible positive steps for accelerated socioeconomic growth through wealth and job creation, which was why the governor upgraded the Job Creation Office to State Bureau for Job and Wealth Creation, and also increased funding for the various programmes.
“It is only fair to appreciate the governor’s efforts by strategically deploying the skills acquired and free starter packs received to catapult each and everyone of you to genuine wealth and prosperity.
“As a ward youth leader and beneficiary of YAGEP programme, it is expected of you to be focused, set your goals and strive to achieve them. Avoid frivolous lifestyle and be prudent in managing your business so that the governor will be happy to hear your testimony in the shortest possible time.
“I am already in touch with the leaders of Kokori and Egbo farmers association, as well as YAGEP beneficiaries in our communities. I am working out a relationship that will be beneficial to all concerned, and I hope you will do well by joining the league of youth farmers so as to benefit from the proposed collaboration.
“Governor Okowa is a practical leader, result oriented and abhors procrastination, laziness and beggarly attitudes. He is ever ready to partner with organised youth groups for socioeconomic transformation and accelerated job and wealth creation.
“I congratulate you for the successful completion of your internship and I hope to see you at the top as one of YAGEP’s big time entrepreneur,” Oghenesivbe said.
Ubieto Frank, the YAGEP beneficiary said he was in Asaba to attend the concluding part of 2020/2021 Agribusiness Workshop for Brown YAGEP beneficiaries, and decided to stop over to brief him and to thank Chief Oghenesivbe for the multifaceted assistance giving to Youth in Kokori and Egbo communities since he assumed duty as EA Communications to the Governor.
He said he was one of the 158 participants at the 2020/2021 workshop and was earlier given farm inputs for cash crops Production; and that his team were trained to effectively apply fertilizer, made available by the state government through the State Bureau for Job and Wealth Creation under Prof Eric Eboh.
“The last leg of the Agribusiness Workshop took us through; agribusiness management efficiency in the areas of business planning, farm records, book keeping/accounts and business name registration.
“Delta Youth are grateful to God, for using our amiable governor, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, aka Empowerment Father, to turn our fortunes around for good, from street boys to entrepreneurs, from grass to grace, from hopelessness to employers of labour.
“We are very grateful. We promise not to disappoint our governor. Convey my deep appreciation to him, please,” Ubieto said.
