Ogun State Government is set to offer grants, ranging from N500,000 to N10,000,000, as interest-free digital loans to business-oriented youths, under its Youth Empowerment and Entrepreneurial Programme.
This is to allow them have financial resources to expand their businesses.
Governor Dapo Abiodun said this in Iperu during the Remo International Youth Day, with the theme: ‘’Transforming Food Systems: Youth Innovation for Human and Planetary Health’’, organised by Remo Growth and Development Foundation.
He said more youths would be engaged to undergo digital training enterprises, while others would be provided with technical and vocation training to enable them become experts in fields.
Hailing Remo Growth and Development Foundation for putting in place such a laudable event, to train youths in economic sustainability, Prince Abiodun said his administration would introduce Ogun youth agricultural programme that would be replicated across the state, leveraging the Soilless Farm Laboratory in operation in Awowo, Ewekoro Local Government. Underscoring the purpose of the programme, the Chairman of Remo Growth and Development Foundation (RGDF), Otunba Seni Adetu, represented by his 1st Vice Chairman, Prof. Wole Sowole, said RGDF is an umbrella institution established by the Akarigbo of Remoland, His Royal Majesty, Oba (Dr.) Babatunde Adewale Ajayi, with the mandate to compliment the efforts of government towards enhancing the socio-economic prosperity of Remoland.
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Adetu said: “Youths must be at the centre of efforts to promote the economic viability of the land, hence the need for the commemoration of the international day.”
The Head of Education and Youth Empowerment, Mrs. Ronke Soyombo, who is also the Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Science and Technology, said the vision was to impart skills and knowledge in youths, to help them transform the land, adding that food production, security, renovation and transformation were crucial pillars to youth economic engagement in the world.
Oba Ajayi, represented by the Onirolu of Irolu, Oba Sikiru Adeyiga, advised youths to brace up and tap into the agricultural opportunities in the state.
He called on the government to make tractors available for them.
The President, Remo Youth Association (RYA), Rotimi Solarin, said the day was dedicated to let people know how to address global issues and make a difference in achieving sustainable development. He enjoined youths to maximise the opportunities of quality facilitators at the event to make a difference individually and collectively.