We've created 250,000 jobs for Edo people in 6 years - Obaseki

By: Idris Umar Momoh

September 27, 2022

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki said his government had in the last six years provided support and services of jobs to almost 250,000 beneficiaries in the state.

Obaseki made the disclosure on Monday while inaugurating Edojob centres in Uromi, Esan North East Local Government Area (LGA) and Uzairue, Etsako West Local Government Area.

The figure, the governor said was more than the 200,000 jobs promised during his 2016 electioneering campaigns.

According to him, job creation and skills development are top priorities for my administration. 

"As I was campaigning in 2016, I went round the state and promised that in my first term in office, I will create a minimum of 200,000 jobs. 

"Today, EdoJobs has provided support and services of jobs to almost 250,000 beneficiaries in Edo State," he said.

The governor, who said, he knew that the jobs would not come from the government, added that they were from expanding the private sector and growing the economy of the state.

"For us in Edo State, we are more concerned about tomorrow and our emphasis is on young people as tomorrow is more important to us. This is why, as a government, it's a priority for us to invest in our young people.

“We would not stop in making sure that the bulk of our resources will be used in training our young people and redirecting them to be strong to help us build a better society tomorrow. That is why we have spent the bulk of our resources in basic education.

“We are reorganising our educational system, directing our students to learn in life and move from the era of certificates to the era where they will be equipped and find work", he added.

Obaseki also disclosed that as at today there is almost N4 billion as loans for small businesses provided by the government in collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Bank of Industry.

He, however, appealed to the management of CBN that rather than withdraw credit for small businesses at this time, they should allow the state to reapply for small business loans to more businesses as well as even consider increasing the amount of such loans to enable the government give opportunity to young people starting their own businesses.

The Edo chief executive assured that his government will continue to prioritise the youth, empowering them with the skills and knowledge to be globally competitive and contribute to sustainable growth and development of the state.

The inaugurated job centres, the governor explained, were constructed by the Edo State Government in partnership with the German Development Agency, GIZ; Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the German Cooperation and Skill Development for Youths Employment (SKYE).

Obaseki who also noted that his government is paying critical attention to job creation and skills development, added that it will sustain efforts to guarantee a conducive environment for businesses and other investments in the state to thrive.

At the event, certificates were presented to over 30 youths from Uromi and Auchi for completing an intensive 10-day training programme in photography and photo editing.