Abia State Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, has assured of Government’s preparedness to partner with the World Bank Assisted Youth Employment and Social Support Operation(YESSO),in eliminating unemployment in the state.
Dr Ikpeazu who gave the assurance when a delegation of Youth Employment and Social Support Operation,YESSO,a World Bank Assisted programme,paid him a courtesy visit at Government House, Umuahia,said the programme,which is in line with the present administration’s idea behind establishment of the Education For Employment(E4E) programme, will be vigorously pursued to ensure that unemployment is reduced in the state.
The governor,represented by his Deputy, Sir Ude Oko Chukwu,further stated that education being one of the five cardinal pillars of his administration’s agenda of introducing the skills acquisition programmes in all Technical schools across the state,will help address lack of requisite skills among unemployable graduates that are exposed to engaging in crimes and disrupting the tempo of development in the state.
He lauded the YESSO assisted programme of World Bank for what they are currently doing in the state,as it will go a long way in solving problems of unskilled man power and urged them to endeavour to make the programme a huge success by carrying everyone along in the process,as government will do all in its power to ensure a success of the programme in the state.
In his remarks, the state coordinator of Education for Employment programme,Mr Endi Ezengwa,said government decided to partner the World Bank Assisted programme,in order to engage donor agencies to drive the Education for Employment aimed at empowering young people to move up to the SME sector and thanked the governor for supporting and funding the programme in the state.
Earlier in his presentation, the World Bank Task Team Leader, Prof. Folunsho Okumadowa,said the World Bank programme is geared towards reduction of youth unemployment in the state, while beneficiaries will be drawn from a social register with emphasis on the poor and vulnerable in the society.
He disclosed that they are keying into the agenda of the state government to achieve a common goal.
