Abiodun pledges grants and digital skills training to empower Ogun youths

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has announced plans to offer substantial grants, ranging from N500,000 to N10 million, to business-minded youths through the Ogun Youth Empowerment and Entrepreneurial Programme (OGYES). The initiative, set to relaunch soon, aims to provide unemployed youths and women with financial support to expand their businesses. Additionally, some beneficiaries will have access to interest-free digital loans.

The Governor shared these details at the Remo International Youth Day, themed ‘Transforming Food Systems: Youth Innovation for Human and Planetary Health,’ held at Christ Apostolic Grammar School, Iperu-Remo.

Governor Abiodun also highlighted that more youths would be trained in Digital Training Enterprises, with technical and vocational training opportunities available for others. He emphasized the importance of equipping youths with skills in construction, ICT, and other sectors, stating, "Ogun State is a massive construction site, and we will be training our youth to become construction experts and contractors in various trades."

Furthermore, the Governor announced the upcoming Ogun Youth Agricultural Programme, which will replicate the Soilless Farm Lab model currently in Awowo, Ewekoro Local Government Area. This program will train 2,000 youths every three months, totaling 8,000 annually, in soilless farming techniques, turning them into agripreneurs with the government’s support in securing land and setting up greenhouses.

He also reiterated his administration’s commitment to the state's development, mentioning the ongoing rice harvest that began three months ago. The Governor stressed the importance of youth involvement in agriculture to ensure food security and promote agricultural excellence.

During the event, the Akarigbo and Paramount Ruler of Remoland, Oba Babatunde Ajayi, urged youths to work diligently and avoid laziness. The Onirolu of Irolu, Oba Sikiru Adeyiga, called on the state government to provide agricultural support, such as tractors, to interested youths.

Commissioner for Sports Development, Hon. Wasiu Isiaka, noted that the summit aimed to make a significant impact on the youth of Remoland, commending the Remo Growth and Development Foundation for fostering dialogue and gathering data for policymaking.

Comrade Bidemi Solarin, Chairman of the Remo Youth Association, called for more government initiatives to support youth in agriculture and praised Governor Abiodun for establishing a ministry dedicated to youth development.