The Edo State Government, through its skills development agency, EdoJobs, has established a rural job center at the Edo State Polytechnic, Usen, Ovia South-West Local Government Area of the state, in furtherance of the government’s youth empowerment and employability drive.
The job center was established in collaboration with the German Agency for International Cooperation Skills Development and Youth Empowerment (GIZ SKYE) and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), as part of efforts to spread the government’s empowerment and employment programmes to the hinterlands and open up opportunities for youths rural communities in the state.
According to the Managing Director, Edo Jobs, Violet Obrokoro, the centre will be a one-stop-shop for everything regarding youth employment and help galvanize economic activities for speedy development in the area.
She said, “Today is very important because our able Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, the GIZ SKYE team, the SDC and our other partners are giving hope, empowerment, self-reliance and a better sense of self-worth to our youths; ensuring a good future for them, curbing illegal migration and giving them opportunity to work or become self employed
“Before the start of His Excellency’s administration, human trafficking, irregular migration and other social vices had taken over our youths in Edo State and there was a high rate of unemployment. From the onset of this administration, Governor Obaseki made job creation a key deliverable that must be met with a vision to create 200,000 jobs in his first term in office.
“This vision led to the establishment of EdoJobs. It was set up to provide the supply of and attract the demand for highly-talented youths in the state. The job matching unit was set up as a means to fulfill this vision by providing the right jobs and employers with the right talents, as well as other services such as career counseling, CV writing skills and review of CV, and other employability skills, including training on work ethics and how to succeed in interviews.”
She also expressed appreciation to the Rector of the Edo State Polytechnic, Prof Abiodun Falodun, the host community, royal fathers and the heads of Ovia North East and South West for their support, ensuring the peace and serenity of the environment which led to siting the center in the locality.
The Commissioner for Education, Dr. Joan Osa-Oviawe, who was represented by Prof. Falodun, noted, “The decision to cite a job centre in Edo State Polytechnic, Usen is to fast track the economic expansion in this area as this place remains an epicenter for education, agriculture and industrial development in the state.
“Today job centers exist in the three senatorial districts of Edo State as a testament to the fact that we place emphasis on empowering our youths to be the best they can be and give them the opportunity to become gainfully employed and self-reliant in whatever endeavor they embark on.”
Other guests at the ceremony include the Edo State Coordinator, GIZ SKYE, Helen Igboka; Vice Chancellor, Igbenedion University, represented by Dr. Charles Ochem; Odionwere of Usen, Chief Abiodun Imasuen; Eson of Usen, Chief Engr Julius Guobadia and the representative of GIZ Skills Development for Youth Employment (SKYE), Martina Szabowski, among others.
