By Omonu YG Nelson.
Senator Jibrin Isah Echocho, representing Kogi East, has revealed plans to launch a Graduate Entrepreneurship Scheme to empower young graduates from the Senatorial District. The program aims to provide seed capital to graduates with entrepreneurial skills to start their businesses.
The initial phase will see ten graduates receive one million naira each, with plans to expand to support up to 100 graduates.
Speaking with journalists in Abuja, on Friday, Echocho, whose Senatorial District cut across nine (9) local governments of Kogi East, said, the programe will cover all the local governments.
Kogi East senatorial district is the largest of the three senatorial districts in Kogi State with nine local governments and 51 per cent of total voter population of Kogi State. The senatorial district covers Idah, Ibaji, Igalamela/Odolu, Ofu, Dekina, Ankpa, Olamaboro, Bassa and Omala local governments.
On the knitty gritty of the program, the second term senator revealed that details of the scheme is program were being workedout. He however explained that initial ten graduates will get one million naira (N1,000,000.00) each, seed capital to execute their business plans. He further revealed that the scheme will be further expanded to accommodate up to hundred (100) graduates.
“Details of the program is being worked out. It is expected to start with ten (10) graduates, who have developed their enterpreneural skills and are in need of seed capital.
“This is the way to go. We must empower our graduates (BSc, HND etc), who are skillful at entrepreneurship but lacks the necessary supports. They can’t continue to wait for white color jobs. As the senator representing the zone, I am doing my bits with the hope that well spirited sons and daughters from Kogi East will join in the struggle to empower our graduates.
The Senate Committee chairman on Customs, assured of credible selection process.
“A selection committee has been setup to ensure that the process of emergence of beneficiaries is credible. ”
He commended Kogi East youths for their unparalleled enterpreneural spirit, saying they’ve continued to excel despite lack of encouragement and other business hurdle.
The initiative is coming at a time of greater need for more young people to leverage on their enterpreneural skills for self empowerment.
