–Blank NEWS Online ((NIGERIA) – BY Albert OGRAKA:
The Delta State Government has commenced Orientation and Personal Effectiveness Training for STEP beneficiaries enrolled in the 2019/2020 cycle of its job creation programme.
According to a statement issued by the Communication Officer, Gertrude Onyekachukwu-Uteh, the orientation programme was designed to take place at 3 locations in Warri, Ughelli and Asaba from 8th to 9th January, 2020 to bring the training closer to the beneficiaries in their senatorial districts.
Flagging-off the training at the Government House Annex, Warri, the Chief Job and Wealth Creation Officer, Prof Eric Eboh, charged the trainees to adopt self-discipline in order to succeed as entrepreneurs.
In his lecture, “Presentation of Programme Philosophy, Rules and Guidelines & Code of Conduct for Trainees,” Prof Eboh explained that the Job Creation Scheme was initiated to create a lasting legacy of new generation of youth entrepreneurs who are well motivated, inspired, skilled and adequately enabled to become self-employed and business owners.
He commended the state Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, for the political will and for providing leadership and resources to ensure that the quality of the programme is not compromised as evident in the lives of over 4,200 previously employed youths transformed through the programme in the first tenure of his administration.
He advised them to uphold quality, discipline, integrity and professionalism throughout the programme, explaining that outstanding beneficiaries have constantly testified that their success was hinged on the life skills and knowledge acquired during the Orientation and Personal Effectiveness Training,
He enjoined them to take their training seriously, disclosing that all graduates of STEP will go through a Post Training Proficiency Test (PTPT) to qualify them to undergo further training in Entrepreneurship and Business Management before establishment with starter packs.
He warned that any trainees who failed the PTPT would have to repeat the training at personal cost till he proved his competence in the skill or would have to forfeit the opportunity.
Also speaking, the Executive Assistant to the Governor on Youth Monitoring and Mentoring (DYMM), Mr Eddy Mekwuye, in his lecture, “The Role and Activities of Directorate of Youth Monitoring and Mentoring in Relation to STEP Trainees,” urged them to be dedicated and committed to the success of the programme, stressing that DYMM would be at their training centres across the state to monitor their progress regularly.
Responding on behalf of others, Fortune Sakpra (Udu LGA) in Hairdressing and Makeover, thanked the state government for creating the platform for youths to excel and express their knowledge on the skills they intend to learn.
The highpoints of the event were the lectures, “The Right Mindset and Attitude for Skills Learning Towards Self-Employment,” and “Lead Yourself (Awakening & Developing the Leader Within You)” presented by Pst. Afolabi Adun and Mrs Chinemerem Omonigho respectively.
