Umar Bayo Abdulwahab
The administration of Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed had so far provided jobs for 10,200 youths in various sectors within the last three years.
Similarly, the government is to engage an additional 3000 by the end of the year.
The governor said this yesterday at the official launch of the state government’s QuickWin Empowerment and Employment Scheme at Government House, Ilorin, as parts of activities lined up to mark his three years anniversary in office.
To ensure sustenance of the scheme, Ahmed said his “government has set aside N2.4b to fund the scheme for the next one year while N164m has already been expended on the newly created Environmental Corps and an enhanced Kwara state Road Traffic Management Agency (KWARTMA).
He said: “Today, as we formally employ the single largest number of youths, I make bold to state that we have significantly fulfilled our pledge in this regard. With the flag-off of QuickWin and the engagement of 5200 youths, this administration has employed 10, 200 youths since inception and will engage an additional 3000 by the end of the year.”
He said, “Most significant component of QuickWin is entrepreneurship under which eligible youths will undergo paid training for up to 12 months.”
He added that “apart from our youth empowerment schemes, we have boosted entrepreneurship with the provision of N640 million in revolving credit to 41, 000 SMEs and structured skill acquisition centers for the benefit of our youths.”
Ahmed, who described the intervention as perhaps “the best way to commemorate Democracy Day,” in view of the challenges confronting the nation, said “we silence the drums of celebration in tune with the national mood.”
The governor admonished the private sector to take a cue in creating employment for youths, “as government alone cannot provide all the needed jobs.”
“Indeed, the private sector has the largest capacity to ameliorate youth unemployment.”
