The Benue State Government has trained 14,942 women and youths across 40 skill-acquisition programmes as part of efforts to reduce unemployment and strengthen small business growth in the state.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony, the Group Managing Director of the Benue Investment and Property Company (BIPC), Dr Raymond Asemakaha, said the state, in collaboration with the company, is set to establish a business fund to support SMEs. He noted that youths and women who venture into entrepreneurship after the training will receive priority support.
Asemakaha explained that empowering the beneficiaries to convert their skills into viable businesses would help stimulate Benue’s economy. He also urged the government to enact business-friendly laws that will widen market access and strengthen the SME ecosystem in the state.
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He revealed that BIPC is working to domesticate the start-up loan law already operational at the federal level, noting that access to seed capital remains a major challenge for young entrepreneurs. According to him, the initiative will provide graduates of the programme with the financial backing needed to start and scale their ventures.
Also speaking, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Youth Mobilisation and Illegal Levies, Terver Gbenda, said his office sponsored 6,000 women and youths to participate in the training. He added that the programme has helped many young people and women stay off the streets and gain productive skills.
Chairman of the occasion and State Commissioner for Finance, Michael Ogleba, assured the trainees of continuous government support. He encouraged them to apply their skills with dedication and integrity, noting that what they have learned will benefit them for life.
