Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State dropped this hint weekend in Ilorin, during the official launching of the State Bridge Empowerment Scheme (KWABES) and presentation of letters of appointment to the first batch of 2,000 youths recently empowered by the State government under the scheme.

The governor, who also called on the Federal Government to provide additional assistance for the State Youth Employment and Skill Acquisition Programmes, explained that KWABES was designed to facilitate transition between unemployment and gainful employment for our youths.

Ahmed said it was in fulfillment of his pledge to empower more youths among other cardinal programmes at his inauguration that gave rise to the establishment of KWABES to collate data on employable youths in the State as a first step towards getting them into gainful employment.

While congratulating the 2,000 beneficiaries of the scheme, he charged them to take the assignment seriously and discharge their duties diligently as well, adding that registration for the scheme would be a continuous process for the next four years.

To complement KWABES, the governor said, plans have been concluded to establish and equip Skill Acquisition Centres as well as reposition three Technical Schools to provide up-to-date skills and science education for our youths.

Alhaji Ahmed, who also thanked the Minister for Youth Development, Alhaji Bolaji Abdullahi for his laudable gesture and support for government programmes, urged the pioneer KWABES corps members to be worthy ambassadors of the scheme.

In his remark, the Minister for Youth Development, Alhaji Bolaji Abdullahi, who commended Governor Ahmed on his achievements within the first 100 days in office, pledged the support of his ministry to the State Government.

The Minister disclosed that the World Bank group and the Hon. Minister of Agriculture will soon visit the State to look at the Molete Youth Farm, to explore possible areas of collaboration.

The Supervising Commissioner for the Ministry of Sports and Youth Development, Dr Abubakar Kannike in his welcome address described youths as the future and hope of any nation, noting that they are the bedrock for any meaningful development.

Kannike charged the lucky beneficiaries to imbibe values such as hard work, honesty, responsibility and discipline to ensure the success of the scheme.

Governor Ahmed also commissioned the new Kwara United Football Club Secretariat Complex and the newly up-graded and renovated World-Class main bowl of the State Stadium Complex, Ilorin, where he promised to construct standard stadia in all Local Government Areas and Senatorial districts to improve sports development in the State.

Abdulwahab Oba
Chief Press Secretary
to the Kwara State Governor
19/09/2011