Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State has enjoined beneficiaries of the Federal Government’s Youth Employment and Social Support Operations (YESSO),to utilize the programme inorder to enhance capacity and excel in their different endeavours for the betterment of the society.
Beneficiaries of the programme will be paid a monthly stipend of 7,500 which will enable them engage in economic activities while six Local Government Areas of the State including Isialangwa North and South, Ohafia, Umunneochi, Ugwunagbo and Ukwa East are to be used as pilot project.
Speaking during the official flag off ceremony of the YESSO programme at the International Conference Center Umuahia,Governor Ikpeazu further advised beneficiaries to use the programme to make the state proud by growing the economy with the funds to be received.
In his words: “I enjoin you today make sure you multiply and grow whatever that has been given to your hand to deliver so that you can be better citizens not only for your family but for Abia and Nigeria in general.
“We expect that as you receive this money, you will deploy it to enhance your capacity to become employers of labour so that other people will receive their own blessings through you”.
“I am sure and confidentthat you will deploy the Abia spirit in you to become billionaires from the mustard seed that is given in your hand.
While noting that the Education for Employment (E4E) programme initiated by his administration within the first 100 days in office has remained an important pillar on which many Federal Government social support initiatives are hinged,Ikpeazu thanked the federal government for keying Abia state into the YESSO initiative as well as other initiatives of the federal government including the School Feeding Programme.
He used the opportunity to announce that the essence of the Enyimba City which his administration is establishing is to create job opportunities for the teeming youths adding that about 700,000 youths are expected to gain employment through the project.
National Coordinator of YESSO Programme, Hajara Sani stated that the programme which was structured by the Federal government in 2017 with assistance from the World Bank to handle insugency in the North, also provides cash capital and technical support to unemployed youths and vulnerable members of the society.
According to her, over 3. 2 million individuals across 15 States of the country are registered in the programme and receive monthly payment of N7,500.
She thanked Governor Ikpeazu for being resolute in issues that concern the poor and vulnerable members of the society.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Mrs. Rita Okengwu represented by Mrs. Hope Nwosu, and the Chairman of the occasion Prof. Ikechi Mgbeoji appreciated the Governor for bringing his vision to reality by attracting the programme to Abia State pointing out the the programme will empower the youths, reduce unemployment and youth restiveness.
In his speech earlier, the State Coordinator and Focal Person of YESSO, Mr. Endi Ezengwa while disclosing that Abia is the first State in the South East to key into the programme,thanked governor Ikpeazu for his support and expressed belief that the programme will record huge success.
