The Esan Central Local Government Area in Edo State, Nigeria, has pledged its support for a vocational skills development programme aimed at empowering youths and addressing unemployment. The programme, organised by the Centre for Moral Value and Justice in collaboration with the Edo State Ministry for Public Safety and Security, seeks to equip youths with practical skills to create sustainable livelihood opportunities. This initiative is expected to provide alternatives to criminal activities and promote self-reliance.
The Executive Chairman of Esan Central Local Government Area, Hon. Prince Abdullahi Momodu, emphasised that economic empowerment is crucial to building safer and more productive communities. He noted that youths equipped with relevant skills would be better positioned to earn a living, establish businesses, and contribute to local economic development. The programme is scheduled to be officially flagged off on October 6, 2026, at the Esan West Local Government Secretariat.
The vocational skills development programme will provide training and entrepreneurship opportunities to youths across the five local government areas in Esan land. Comrade Inegbenehi Sylvester is the convener of the initiative, while Hon. Chris Okojie serves as co-convener. The training will be facilitated by the Nigerian Association of Engineering Craftsmen, an organisation affiliated with the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN).
Following the flag-off ceremony, the training will be decentralised across Esan West, Esan South-East, Esan North-East, Esan Central, and Igueben local government areas to ensure wider access and participation. This approach aims to reach a significant number of youths and facilitate broad participation. The Esan Central Local Government Area has pledged to mobilise youths and support the programme.
Hon. Prince Abdullahi Momodu assured that his administration would work closely with the organisers to ensure that a significant number of youths from Esan Central benefit from the programme. He stressed that vocational education remained an important pathway to employment, entrepreneurship, and economic self-reliance. The programme aims to empower youths with practical skills, making them economically productive and reducing their vulnerability to criminal activities.
The partnership between the Esan council and the organisers reflects a concerted effort to address youth unemployment and insecurity in the region. By providing vocational training and entrepreneurship opportunities, the programme seeks to equip youths with the skills and knowledge necessary to contribute to local economic development. The initiative is expected to have a positive impact on the community, promoting self-reliance and economic empowerment.
The programme's success will depend on the collaboration between the Esan council, the organisers, and other stakeholders. With the support of the Nigerian Association of Engineering Craftsmen and the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), the programme is well-positioned to provide high-quality training and facilitate sustainable livelihood opportunities for youths in Esan land.
Key points
- The Esan council has pledged to mobilise youths and facilitate broad participation in the vocational skills development programme.
- The programme aims to equip youths with practical skills to create sustainable livelihood opportunities and provide alternatives to criminal activities.
- The initiative is expected to have a positive impact on the community, promoting self-reliance and economic empowerment.
