The Leo Stan Ekeh Foundation, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), has launched its ‘Imo Wealth Project’, an initiative aimed at creating 10,000 jobs in Imo.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the programme was launched in Owerri, the Imo capital, on Wednesday by the Foundation’s Chairman and Group Managing Director of Zinox Technologies Ltd., Mr Leo Ekeh.
Speaking while inaugurating the programme, Ekeh pledged his commitment to youth empowerment through job creation, hence the programme.
He noted that the programme was the pilot phase of an expanded initiative to be carried out in the six geo-political zones of the country.
According to him, a minimum of 200 beneficiaries, each month, would be trained in various entrepreneurial skills for a period of three months and empowered with necessary start-up equipment to ensure their self-reliance.
“This is a century in which the children of the poor can have all the privileges they couldn’t have before now. Thanks to information technology and programmes such as this.
“We have opened a portal for registration of interested persons and globally renowned information technology companies such Microsoft and Meta (FaceBook), amongst others, will certify the participating graduates who complete the programme,” he said.
He thanked the authorities of Imo State University; Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education; Federal Polytechnic Nekede; Imo State University of Agriculture; and the Federal University of Technology, Owerri; for partnering with the Foundation to train qualified Imo graduates.
Ekeh said that the Foundation had commenced equipping the institutions with best in-class digital tools, starting with the Imo State University and planned to do same in one state from each geo-political zone of the country.
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He said that this would help guarantee the Foundation’s aim of promoting 21st century knowledge through quality education, practical entrepreneurship, healthy living and enhanced lifestyle.
“We have partnered with several tertiary institutions to organise mentorship sessions, a finishing school class, knowledge empowerment and business success sessions for 500 final year students per year, per institution, to prepare them for life after school.
“Outstanding entrepreneurs who make the final cut stand a chance to gain access to interest-free loans that will enable them grow their businesses, while others will be exposed to employment opportunities in their areas of competence “, Ekeh said.
The Vice-Chancellor, Imo State University, Prof. Uchefula Chukwumaeze, thanked the Foundation for thinking toward the youth, especially at a time when academic activities were on hold.
One of the participants, Mr Sylvanus Oparaocha, thanked the Foundation for the programme and pledged to maximise opportunity, while calling on other well-meaning Nigerians to tow the same path.
(NAN)
