The Ogun State Government is set to offer grants, ranging from N500,000 to N10,000,000, as interest-free digital loan to business-oriented youths, under its Ogun Youth Empowerment and Entrepreneurial Programme, to allow them have financial resources to expand their businesses.
The state governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun disclosed this in Iperu during the Remo International Youth Day, with the theme, ‘’Transforming Food Systems: Youth Innovation for Human and Planetary Health’’, organised by Remo Growth and Development Foundation, saying more youths would be engaged to undergo digital training enterprises, while others would be provided with technical and vocation training to enable them become experts in various fields.
Appreciating Remo Growth and Development Foundation for putting in place such a laudable event, to train youths on economic sustainability, Governor Abiodun promised that his administration would introduce Ogun Youth Agricultural programme, that would be replicated across the state leveraging the Soilless Farm Laboratory currently in operation in Awowo, Ewekoro Local Government Area.
Underscoring the purpose of the programme, the Chairman of Remo Growth and Development Foundation (RGDF), Otunba Seni Adetu, represented by his 1st Vice Chairman, Prof. Wole Sowole said RGDF is an umbrella institution established by His Royal Majesty, Oba (Dr.) Babatunde Adewale Ajayi with the mandate to compliment the efforts of government towards enhancing the socio-economic prosperity of Remo land.
Otunba Adetu noted ” Youths must be at the centre of all efforts to promote the economy viability of the land, hence the need for the commemoration of the international day”.
Speaking, the Head of Education and Youth Empowerment, Mrs. Ronke Soyombo who doubles as the Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Science and Technology submitted that the vision was to impact some skills and knowledge into youths to help them transform the land, adding that food production, security, renovations and transformation are crucial pillars to youth economic engagement into the world.
In his remark, the Akarigbo and Paramount Ruler of Remoland, Oba (Dr.) Babatunde Ajayi, represented by the Onirolu of Irolu, Oba Sikiru Adeyiga urged the youths in Remoland to brace up and tap into the agricultural opportunities in the state, calling on government to make tractors available for them.
The President, Remo Youth Association (RYA), Comrade Rotimi Solarin, stated that the day was dedicated to let people know how to address global issues and make a difference in achieving sustainable development, enjoining youths to maximise the opportunities of the quality facilitators at the event to make difference individually and collectively.