Over 10,000 Youths to Benefit as Edo, MasterCard Foundation Launch Entrepreneurship Programme

Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City
No fewer than 10,000 youths in Edo State are expected to benefit from the Transforming Nigeria Youths (TNY) Entrepreneurship programme, recently inaugurated by the state government in partnership with the Enterprise Development Centre and MasterCard Foundation.

The Managing Director, Edo Skills Development Agency, EdoJobs, Ukinebo Dare, who disclosed this at the weekend, noted that the programme would further boost business activities in the state, especially for micro, small and medium sized enterprises (MSMEs).

She said the programme was not all about quick money, but having a sustainable business venture that would create jobs and add value to the society.

According to her, “EdoJobs is about teaching people how to make long-term investments by linking them to the right business information and equipping them with entrepreneurial skills, funding and market.”

On his part, the General Manager, Enterprise Development Centre, Dr. Olawale Anifowose, said the programme was aimed at creating more jobs in the state, especially at the grassroots.

Anifowose noted that the youths would form the first-year beneficiaries of a five-year entrepreneurship training that would run in the state, adding that they would be exposed to three months of online training with a free data plan.

He added that there would be one-on-one free business mentorship, as well as access to funding for youths that would complete the three months training.

“The three key objectives of the programme are to create the correct mindset about entrepreneurship, provide access to market and direct services, as well as provide access to funding opportunities”, Anifowose stated.