Ugwumba Leadership Centre has empowered some youths with job opportunities.
The president of Ugwumba Leadership Centre, Uche Nwosu, made the statement yesterday in Abuja, during its seventh edition of the Ugwumba enterprise challenge.
He said that the seventh edition of the Ugumba Enterprise Challenge supports young entrepreneurs and the government in creating jobs for the youth in the country.
Nwosu said, “We have supported more than 7,000 young entrepreneurs in establishing different
businesses in the country as our contribution to creating jobs.
“The only thing that keeps motivating us is the success stories of the beneficiaries.
“We are empowering more youth with the little resources to expand their businesses and to impact others for economic development.
“Today, these young Nigerians have become employers of labour, which has reduced the youth unemployment in our country.”
He further stressed that 200 women have been earmarked nationwide to receive N20,000 each to start petty trading with the support of Inner Power, Death Fund, and others as partners.
Also, the deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, who doubled as one of the keynote speakers, commended UEC for using its platform to provide solutions for unemployment by equipping young entrepreneurs with tools, mentorship, and financial support and creating businesses to help young Nigerians thrive and lead economic development.
He said, “As policymakers, we must complement such initiatives to make business a friendly environment.
“Through its various programs, the federal government is committed to creating pathways for our youth to access training, mentorship and funding.”
“I assure you, the House of Representatives will continue to support policies that help youth achieve economic development.”
“Also, I urge all the stakeholders to remain committed and focus on the noble cause of working together to unlock the full potential of youths in the country.”
For his part, the inspector general of police (IG), Kayode Egbetokun, represented by the deputy inspector general of police, Benedetti Igwe, appealed to the youths not to resort to crime.
He also said that most youths are involved in crimes due to a lack of meaningful sources of livelihood and called on Nigerian youths to embrace entrepreneurship innovation instead of depending on white-collar jobs.
He stressed collaboration to engage the youth in entrepreneurship for harmonious economic growth.