The Permanent Secretary, Edo State Ministry of Youth and Gender, Dr. Peter Aibuedefe Osagie has assured the SOS children’s Villages in Nigeria of the Ministries collaboration in improving the employment prospects of youth and young adults in the state.
Speaking during a courtesy visit by the Edo State Programme Manager, SOS Children’s Villages Nigeria, to the ministry, the Permanent Secretary said the Department of Youth Development will be glad to work with the organization.
“As a ministry we will make sure there is spread of the beneficiaries in the three senatorial districts of the state in fulfilment of the electioneering promises of the state Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki to provide jobs for the youth.
“The Ministry can be your ally in this regard instead of relying on business men to recruit for you. We will appreciate your initiative and define more ways to collaborate,” he added.
According to him, all matters pertaining to youth fall under the mandate of the Ministry of Youth and Gender and he advocated that the SOS Children’s Villages should carry the Ministry along in their projects by meeting to articulate the gains.
While commending the scope of work done in the state by the organization, the Permanent Secretary noted that the state governor is always looking forward for such opportunities
The Policy and Advocacy officer, SOS Children’s Villages, Maryam Cam who earlier appealed for support of the Ministry of Youth and Gender disclosed that the organization has identified and selected five hundred youths in Edo state for skill -based trainings centered on life skill training, ICT, employability and entrepreneurship trainings.
“The project is aimed at improving the prospects of gainful employment for Nigerian youth aged between fifteen and thirty-five and for returnees in selected sectors of the economy in the three senatorial districts of Edo North, Edo South and Central in Edo State.
“Its overall goal is to improve the regulatory and systemic framework conditions for needs based technical and vocational education, training and skills as well as labor market integration measures, that is why we are seeking for partnership with the Ministry” she added.
In attendance was the Programme Manager, Kemi Ezeanyim, SOS Children’s Villages Nigeria, and the Director of Administration and Supplies Ministry of Youth and Gender, Malam Usman Binanu. E
