FG commences Startup programme to build entrepreneurial skills in youths- Vice-President’s aide
Start-up
By Biola Lawal/ Dada Ahmed
Abuja, April, 15, 2018 (NAN).The Federal Government has commenced Startup programme to build entrepreneurial spirit in youths and prepare them toward self-sustaining activities rather than be job seekers.
The Special Assistant to the Vice- President on Innovations and Entrepreneurship, Mr Ife Adebayo made the disclosure in an interview with newsmen in Abuja on Sunday.
He said the programme would involve training youths in the area of innovation and technology, starting from the North-Central and South-East region of the country.
The Vice-President’s aide said the overall objective of the programme was government to galvanise social and economic activities to boost the economy.
“This is one of the cardinal objectives why the Federal Government engaged the private sector participants to support companies that would be able to boost the economy in their regions.
‘’One of the best ways we can accelerate our exit from recession is to support companies to do much more than they are currently doing,’’ Adebayo said.
‘’Startup Nigeria, as a programme, focuses on innovation, agriculture and technology, everybody involved in innovation, technology and agriculture within the two regions will be supported to achieve his or her objectives.
‘’Globally, it is known that people who work in start-up organisations ends up being employers of labour, and build their businesses from the ideas they got from such ventures.
‘’The start up programme fully supports the president’s goal and zeal, which stresses the need to have more employers than job seekers in the country.
‘’Beyond the direct impact in the collaborative company, there are a lot secondary and tertiary impact on the nation.
“This is because, as government reaches out to a lot of startups, they will in turn train more people on entrepreneurial skills and employ others,’’ he said.
Adebayo said the startup would be funded from the N500 billion, Federal Government fund, earmarked for the implementation of social investment programmes.
Adebayo assured that conscious effort was being made to effectively fund the programme for government to achieve its aims and objectives of putting Nigeria on the path of enhanced entrepreneurial, technological, innovative and agricultural development.
According to him, government will also engage and pay experts that will teach participants and offer advice and guidance them on agriculture, technology, financing projects among others, free of charge.
Adebayo, who revealed that over 400 youths from South-East and North-Central had so far applied to be engaged in the programme, said that Startup had the potential of changing their lives for the better.
The Vice President’s aide advised youths to visit Startup website; www.startupnigeria.ng to register for the programme for acquisition of knowledge, skills and experience, free of charge.
He said it would afford them the opportunity to contribute their quota to the social and economic development of Nigeria. (NAN)
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