In a bid to reshape the future of students in Edo State, Skillup Naija, has unveiled the ‘Edo Teens’ Enterprise Campaign’ to begin training of 50,000 graduating secondary school students and other creative young minds in August.
In a statement, Skillup Naija’s Kenneth Otidi disclosed that the initiative is set to empower 50,000 young Edo sons and daughters with ‘Skills to Wealth: An Entrepreneur’s Manual,’ and provide them with exclusive six-month mentorship programme that would propel them towards becoming active entrepreneurs.
He said the pioneer sponsor of the project is Charles Osazuwa, founder, and head pastor of Rock of Ages Christian Assembly International. He described Osazuwa as a beacon of inspiration and change, who will kickstart the campaign by gifting the first 200 copies of ‘Skills to Wealth’ book.
He noted that Osazuwa’s commitment to empowering the youth underscores the importance of providing tangible tools for self-sufficiency.
Otidi said, “EDOTEC activities are lined up to refocus and reposition our youth, starting with those about leaving secondary school in other to catch them young. Such activities, which include skills acquisition and development, personality test, entrepreneurship induction, problems/solutions orientation, presentation training and challenge, pitching and exhibition challenge, enterprise street test, and many more, will be carried out on-site and online in all the 18 local government areas, starting with Oredo.
“Edo State, like many states, faces challenges that threaten the very fabric of its future. The pressing issues of cultism and money rituals, masquerading as online fraud (aka yahoo yahoo), pose a significant threat to the dreams and aspirations of Edo youth.
“EDOTEC boldly offers the immediate solution, providing a platform for skill acquisition and development, mentorship, and entrepreneurial empowerment to counteract these threats.
“The grand patron of EDOTEC-Project Catch Them Young, Chief Sam Igbe, the Iyase of Benin kingdom, extends his love and support to sons and daughters of Edo through this transformative initiative.
“Chief Igbe recognizes the potential within the youth and believes that EDOTEC will serve as a catalyst for positive change, unlocking opportunities that will uplift Edo State.
“The event flag-off for the Edo Teens’ Enterprise Campaign is scheduled for May 3rd, 2024, at the Benson Idahosa University convocation hall, University Way, off Upper Adesuwa Road, GRA, Benin.
“The visionaries behind EDOTEC, Dr. Osazuwa and Chief Igbe, call on all well-meaning Edolites to rally behind SkillUp Naija and support this unparalleled initiative, which goal is not merely to empower individuals, but to unleash an army of young entrepreneurs, who will in turn, drive the economic landscape of Edo State towards prosperity.
