In a bid to lessen the army of youth unemployment on the streets in the country, the Federal Government has said arrangement has been concluded to empower young entrepreneurs through its Integrated Youth Empowerment Programme,IYEEP, in collaboration with Mara foundation.
This was disclosed Monday by the Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan, Ambassador Obinna Adim as part of efforts to commemorate this year’s international youth day to recognize the efforts of world’s youths in enhancing a global society in Abuja.
Ambassador Adim informed that the partnership between the Federal Government and Mara foundation is essentially to proffer a formidable base to empower youths throughout the country and ultimately provide a solution for youth leadership and development.
“The mentorship programme will serve as a provider of non-formal education aimed at bridging the gap between school and life after school, enhancing young people’s potential for success by making them approach life as entrepreneurs,” Ambassador Adim submitted.
He said these support services are expected to transform entrepreneurs’ business ideas into profitable and thriving business entities that will employ other Nigerians and contribute to local,state and national economies.
The Special Adviser noted that IYEEP is the youth transformation initiative of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan stressing that the Mara mentorship platform will be an important part of the overall IYEEP initiative to economically empower the Nigerian youth through the mentorship programme and launch pads, which provide incubation centers for SMEs and solopreneurs who otherwise would not be able to afford professional office space.
He observed that the mentorship platform is currently accessible online, but will shortly be launched as a mobile application for smartphones with the objective to create a truly active and connected entrepreneurial community for youth across Nigeria.
Speaking in similar vein, one of the nation’s emerging entrepreneur and Chairman of DFC Holdings Ltd/Fortis Microfinance Bank Ltd, Mr. Felix Achibiri emphasized the need for Nigerian Youths to take advantage of the multiplicity of business opportunities within the Nation’s economy.
He also noted that to meet the MDG goal, African Government must continue to liberate key functions. “The private sector must be strengthened as we implement a grand scheme, as we nurture African entrepreneurs. The key impact of today’s function will be that talents, capacities and skills will be unleashed upon the Continent with direct positive implication on youth engagement and empowerment” Mr. Felix Achibiri stated.
IYEEP focuses on the engagement of stakeholders, public and private sector participants, continental bodies and international organizations in the quest for empowerment of the Nigerian Youth. While Mara Foundation is Mara Group’s social enterprise that focuses on emerging African entrepreneurs and working to create sustainable economic and business development opportunities for young business owners.
No comments:
Post a Comment