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Ogun To Give N500,000, N10m Grants, Others To Business-oriented Youths

Published

1 year ago

August 13, 2024

Editor

The Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, on Tuesday, disclosed that his administration is set to offer business-oriented youths in the state grants ranging from N500,000 to N10 million under the Ogun Youth Empowerment and Entrepreneurial Programme.

Abiodun stated that the grants will commence during the next phase of OGYES, which will soon be relaunched.

He said that the initiative would offer unemployed youth and women a wide range of opportunities and provide the beneficiaries with the cash they need to expand their businesses. He added that other youths would have access to interest-free digital loans.

The governor made this known during the Remo International Youth Day, with the theme ‘Transforming Food Systems: Youth Innovation for Human and Planetary Health,’ held at the Christ Apostolic Grammar School, Iperu-Remo.

Abiodun also disclosed that more youths would be trained in the area of Digital Training Enterprises and added that technical and vocational training would also be provided for other youths in the state.

He said: “The Ogun Youth Empowerment and Entrepreneurial Scheme that we will be launching in the next two weeks aims to do a few things; it is a programme directed at our Ogun State youths.

“We will identify, through a process, our young men and women who are entrepreneurs—those who have a flair for starting their own businesses or those who are already engaged in various businesses. We will support them with various grants.

“We will give them grants that will start from N500,000 to N10 million. This will allow them to have the cash they need to expand their businesses and provide cash flow for them. Others will have access to interest-free digital loans. All this we are unveiling in the next few weeks.

“We will also be training others in what we call Digital Training Enterprises—those who have a flair for ICT, those who want to improve their digital skills, and those who can become social media influencers and marketers.

“We will also be providing technical and vocational training. This is very important because today, Ogun State is a massive construction site. We will be training our youth to become construction experts and contractors—those who will have the zeal for building, painting, welding, and many other skills.”

The governor stated that his administration had concluded arrangements to introduce the Ogun Youth Agricultural Programme. He said that the state would replicate the Soilless Farm Lab currently in operation in Awowo, Ewekoro Local Government Area of the state.

He noted that the Ogun Youth Agricultural Programme would commence in Remoland, adding that the farm would be training 2,000 youths every three months and have 8,000 youths trained in Soilless Farm Lab technology yearly

The governor also promised that his administration would continue to ensure the development of the state, disclosing that he would join others to harvest the rice that was planted in the last three months in the state.

He said, “We started planting rice three months ago. That rice is due for harvesting this week. That means we can plant that rice four times a year.

“We must acknowledge that the future health and prosperity of our community depend on the active participation of young people like you.

“Our food systems are at a pivotal juncture, and the importance of a robust food system cannot be overstated—it impacts our health, environment, and economy. As we confront issues such as climate change, food shortages, and health crises, it is clear that innovative solutions prioritizing human and planetary health are essential.”

Speaking on the occasion, the Paramount Ruler of Remoland, Oba Babatunde Ajayi, represented by the Onirolu of Irolu, Oba Sikiru Adeyiga, called on the youths of Remoland to work hard and not allow laziness to take charge of their lives.

He also called on the state government to help youths in the state who are interested in agriculture with tractors.

In his remarks, the Commissioner for Sports Development, Wasiu Isiaka, noted that the summit was designed to make a significant impact on the lives of youths in Remoland.

He acknowledged the Remo Growth and Development Foundation for the programme, which he said not only fostered dialogue but also served as an action and opportunity to gather data for policymaking.

The Chairman of the Remo Youth Association, Bidemi Solarin, called on the government at all levels to create avenues for youths to thrive in the agricultural sector and commended Abiodun for creating a ministry for the development of youths in the state.

News

Edo Deputy Gov Orders Installation Of Solar In PHC Facility

Published

30 minutes ago

September 29, 2025

Editor

Deputy governor of Edo State, Hon. Dennis Idahosa, on Monday, ordered the immediate installation of solar power at Aruogba Clinic, Benin to ensure uninterrupted service delivery.

A statement by Friday Aghedo, Chief Press Secretary to the deputy governor, said the order was given when Idahosa went on an inspection visit to the health facility.

The deputy governor, while reinstating the state government’s commitment to strengthening grassroots healthcare system across the state, noted that as a result, Primary Health Centers (PHCs) across the state were being transformed to deliver on governor Monday Okpebholo’s SHINE Agenda.

While commending the pace of work at Aruogba Clinic, he said: “We are here to ensure that the health facilities closest to the people are well equipped to bequeath the healthcare system that the Governor has promised.

“From what we are seeing here today, it is clear that Governor Okpebholo is a man of vision. The accessibility is very good, and the nurses and health workers here are doing commendable jobs,” he stated.

The deputy governor added that the government would intensify supervision of PHCs across Edo to identify and fix areas needing urgent attention.

“We are going to visit many other centres and act within 24 hours on areas of improvement,” he assured.

Idahosa emphasized that proper supervision was key to ensuring compliance with medical standards and improved service delivery at the grassroots.

His remarks were echoed by Commissioner for Health, Dr. Cyril Oshiomhole, who explained that the administration was working with the “3As” of healthcare: accessibility, affordability, and availability.

“The solar installation at Aruogba Clinic, officials said, will boost critical services such as antenatal care, child delivery, and malaria treatment, all of which are already being offered free of charge,” he explained.

News

Oba Of Benin Ushers In ‘Emorọ’

Published

39 minutes ago

September 29, 2025

Editor

Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, is set to perform an age-long Emorọ otherwise known as the ‘New Yam Festival.’

A statement signed by Frank Irabor, Secretary, Benin Traditional Council, said the ceremony which takes place on Tuesday September 30th 2025, is expected to be indoors in the Palace of the Oba of Benin.

Irabor added that the ceremony followed a successful completion of two-weeks fasting and prayer declared by Oba Ewuare II for peace, progress and to usher-in Emorọ.

Irabor said Oba Ewuare II used the fasting period to pray for the good people of Edo State and Nigeria and other people of goodwill.

The statement reads, “Accordingly, Omo N’ Oba appreciates all Edo indigenes and non indigenes and Edo sons and daughters in the diaspora that participated in the spiritual exercise and urge them to commence the consumption of Emorọ (new yam), while praying God Almighty and his Royal ancestors to answer their prayers.”

It added: “The indoor ceremony of ushering new yam (Emorho) into the Palace, would be performed on Tuesday, 30th September, 2025″.

“Thereafter, all sons and daughters of Benin Kingdom and, by extension indigenes and non-indigenes living in Edo State who participated in the two weeks fasting and prayer are to commence the eating of the new yam.

“The Omo N’Oba prays to God Almighty to grant us peace and happiness in our individual homes”.

News

UNIBEN Bars 5000 Students From Writing Exam

Published

2 hours ago

September 29, 2025

Editor

No fewer than 5,000 students of the University of Benin are likely to miss the second semester examination over failure to pay their school fees.

A memo released by the Registrar of the institution, Ademola Bobola, said they are the students who failed to pay their school charges despite repeated reminders, and that they failed to subscribe to students’ loan being provided by the Nigerian Education Students’ Loan Fund (NELFUND).

According to Bobola, to make sure that the defaulting students are bar from writing the second semester examination which has already commenced today, September 29, 2025, the school management has put in place an enforcement team.

The memo reads partly, “With the Second Semester examination set to begin on Monday 29th September, 2025, these students shall be barred from writing the examination if they fail to pay their school charges or subscribe to the students loan by NELFUND.

“About 5,000 students have been identified in this category of defaulters.

“In compliance with the directive of Senate of the University of Benin, these students SHALL NOT BE ALLOWED to write the forthcoming examination.

“Provost of the College of Medical Sciences, Deans, Directors and Heads of Departments are SPECIALLY required to enforce the directive of Senate without compromise.

“In this regard, the Provost, Deans, Directors and Heads of Departments are to publish the list of ALL DEFAULTING STUDENTS in their respective Colleges, Schools, Faculties, Institutes and Departments not later than 8am on Monday, 29th September, 2025.

“This is to enable the affected students to know their status as defaulters and afford them the opportunity to remedy their situation before the examination begins.

“Management has, accordingly, appointed an Enforcement Task Force headed by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic), to monitor and enforce full compliance with the directive of Senate.

“Management expects full cooperation and compliance by all stakeholders to maintain the University’s high standards.”