Plateau Proposes N2bn to Drive Youth, Entrepreneurship Training

Seriki Adinoyi in Jos

Plateau State Government has proposed a supplementary budget of N2billion to expand the Plateau Youth Entrepreneurship and Skills Acquisition (PLAYESA) for Wealth programme, aimed at equipping young people with practical skills in ICT, fashion, and leatherworks.

The state Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Hon. Musa Achom, disclosed this during the flag-off of the current batch of PLAYESA training organised by the State Ministry for Youth and Sports Development in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, at the National Youth Centre, Shere Hills, Jos.

He explained that the fund, once approved by the state House of Assembly, would strengthen youth empowerment initiatives and position Plateau State as a hub for digital technology and the creative industry.

Ashom said: “The training is for young people to acquire skills, because not everyone can get white-collar jobs. In this batch, we have 150 participants, and another 100 will join soon, making a total of 250 youths drawn from the 17 local government areas of Plateau State.” 

“At the end of the programme, they will gain ICT, fashion design, shoemaking, and bag production skills, because these are trades people have made fortunes from, and we cannot be left behind.”

He added that the government is intentional about youth development, stressing that empowerment must be deliberate.

“The supplementary budget season is here, and as a ministry, we have requested the House of Assembly to approve ₦2billon so that our young people will be exposed to different skills. In ICT, we want Plateau State to become a hub.

“The state governor has donated the Joseph Gomwalk House to serve as an ICT centre for our youths. The Federal Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy is also laying 30km of fibre optics in the state. So, Plateau State is going to become an ICT hub, and we want our youths to take advantage,” he said.

In her remarks, the Zonal Coordinator of the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, Deborah Simon Pitmang, noted that the training is strictly focused on skills acquisition under the ‘Skills for Wealth’ scheme.

According to her, “The trade areas have been streamlined into three core areas: ICT, fashion design, and leather works. Our role is strictly to facilitate and train. This is not ‘skills for WhatsApp.’ This programme is meant to give you start-up kits and empower you to create wealth, not to sell the equipment for quick cash.”

Some of the participants described the initiative as a life-changing opportunity, particularly because of its emphasis on practical training and provision of start-up kits.

A trainee said: “This is a very good initiative, and I must applaud the governor. The world is moving digitally, and with the ICT training, it will boost so many things and give us an eye opener on how the ICT world works. When I go back, I’ll do more research and put in more effort to make something out of it for myself.”

Other participants in fashion design and leatherworks also expressed optimism that the programme would enable them to build sustainable livelihoods and empower their families, while commending the government for what they described as a rare and timely intervention in addressing youth unemployment.

The PLAYESA Skills for Wealth programme, launched under Governor Caleb Mutfwang, is designed to train youths across the 17 LGAs of the state in entrepreneurship and vocational skills.

The post Plateau Proposes N2bn to Drive Youth, Entrepreneurship Training appeared first on THISDAYLIVE.

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    Chuks Okocha in Abuja 

    The Obidient Movement, the political arm of the Peter Obi presidential campaign, has expressed worries over whether the coalition party, African Democratic Congress (ADC) will zone its presidential ticket and offices of the party.

    The Obidients also said that it became more worried over the ultimatum given to Obi to officially declare for the coalition party in view of agreements that Obi will do so after some off-season elections that he is committed to before the birth of the coalition party.

    A statement by the National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Dr. Tanko Yunusa, said, ”As the Obidient Movement, being part of the main consulting bloc, we are particularly concerned about how the party intends to zone its presidential ticket. Considering that the presidency is currently held by the South, issues of equity and fairness must guide such decisions if the party truly aims to secure victory in the 2027 elections.

    ”We are equally interested in how the party zones its principal offices within the coalition, as this will ensure justice, fairness, and inclusivity — factors that will enable us to mobilise effectively across the country,” Yunusa said.

    The statement further said, ”It must be emphasised that H.E. Peter Obi is not desperate to be President of Nigeria. His ultimate mission is to see Nigeria work — to lift people out of poverty, to improve the economy, education, healthcare, and security. 

    “These were the reasons he joined the coalition in the first place targeted towards good governance which are the core values of the Obidient Movement,” Yunusa added.

    The statement further read, ”Our attention has been drawn to the recent statement released by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) concerning the resolutions of the coalition and our role within it.

    ”We wish to restate our position clearly. While we remain fully committed to the vision of the Coalition and acknowledge the adoption of the ADC as the coalition platform, it is on record that His Excellency Mr. Peter Obi aligned with the coalition’s position after the Anambra State Governorship Election, extending to the 2027 eeneral elections. 

    ”This adoption and pronouncement were made publicly by the party. We are therefore concerned as to why the resolution is now being altered midway into the agreement.

    ”H.E. Peter Obi, as a leader with a broad constituency, has always taken time to consult widely before making major political decisions. He did so before joining the coalition, and he must also do so before responding to any ultimatum.”

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    Chuks Okocha in Abuja  The Obidient Movement, the political arm of the Peter Obi presidential campaign, has expressed worries over whether the coalition party, African Democratic Congress (ADC) will zone its presidential ticket and

    Environment Minister Lauds NDDC’s Sustained Developmental Strides in Niger Delta

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    Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt 

    The Minister of Environment, Mallam Balarabe Lawal, has commended the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for its commitment to sustained developmental strides and effort towards addressing the long-standing infrastructural gaps in Niger Delta communities.

    The minister made the commendation during a stakeholders’ engagement forum on Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), in Port Harcourt, for proposed road projects in Rivers State.

    The forum, held in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Environment and the Rivers State Ministry of Environment, focused on three critical projects: The construction of a 4km Bonny Internal Road in Degema and Bonny Local Government Areas; the construction of Luebe-Agbani -Lueku Road in Khana LGA; and the construction of 6 km Egelebia Road, Phase 2, in George-Ama, Okrika LGA.

    Represented by an Environmental and Chemical Engineer in the Ministry of Environment, Manji Justine, the minister extolled the NDDC for subjecting the proposed projects to the provisions of the Environmental Impact Assessment Act, before commencement.

    He said, “We are not here to stop the project but to ensure it aligns with environmental laws to protect the future and guarantee sustainability. Once approval is granted, the ministry, along with the state government and affected communities, will monitor the projects through baseline data collection and post-construction site assessments.”

    He highlighted the importance of incorporating proper drainage systems to mitigate flooding and stressed the need for covered drainage channels in residential areas to prevent waste dumping and blockages.

    According to him, “The NDDC has taken a bold and commendable step by addressing road infrastructure gaps that have long affected these communities. Every identified impact in the EIA process must have a mitigation strategy.”

    The NDDC Director II, Environmental Protection and Control, Mr. Aniefiok Iniokut, said the forum aimed to provide a platform for engagement between the commission, the ministry, and the affected communities before project commencement.

    “It’s only through such engagements that we can understand the full social and environmental implications of these projects. The feedback so far shows overwhelming community support and a clear understanding of the project’s benefits,” he said.

    He noted that the forum confirmed no objections from the communities and that the positive impacts significantly outweigh the negatives. He assured stakeholders that the NDDC would ensure the successful completion of the projects.

    In her remarks, the NDDC Deputy Director, Environmental Protection and Control, Dr. Ukpe Eno, underscored the importance of stakeholder engagement in driving sustainable development.

    Head of the Dokube Royal House in Okrika, Chief Godknows Tam-George, expressed appreciation to the NDDC and its Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, for initiating the projects.

    “For years, Egedeme lacked basic infrastructure. Within a short period under the current NDDC leadership, we’ve received a 2km road, a 6km road, and a water project. These are life-changing developments,” he said.

    In his speech, the Paramount Ruler of Baa-Lueku, Chief Samson Barilugbene Obrien, praised the project’s potential to enhance economic opportunities.

     “This road will bridge the gap between our community and others. It will open up access for trade, ease transportation, and serve as a vital link to Akwa Ibom via Aba,” he noted.

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    Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt  The Minister of Environment, Mallam Balarabe Lawal, has commended the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for its commitment to sustained developmental strides and effort towards addressing

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