By Babatunde Ayedoju

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One feature, among many others, that has distinguished the present government of Ondo State is its commitment to entrepreneurship and empowerment of citizens and even residents of the state at large.

A key component of the second term REDEEMED agenda of the administration which Governor Lucky Ayedatiwa inherited was the Ondo State Entrepreneurship Agency (ONDEA), reputed to be the first entrepreneurship development agency in Nigeria. The agency was created to build an economically vibrant state through entrepreneurship development by educating and empowering entrepreneurs in the state.

In 2021, 3,495 entrepreneurs were trained by the Ondo State Government. As a follow-up to the training, codenamed Entrepreneurship Development Training (EDT), the agency set out to empower successful participants of the training with the necessary support in the form of tools and equipment for their businesses.

The equipment grants varied from top-range basic equipment to block-making machines, industrial sewing machines, industrial ovens, generators, pumping machines, and laptops, among others.

Back then, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Entrepreneurship Development, Dr. Summy Smart Francis,  explained that the government was committed to seeing small businesses thrive, as they were seen as employers of labour and important stakeholders in the state economy when it comes to revenue generation and economic development.

He said, “Qualified beneficiaries are excited about this initiative because it clearly shows that the government is not relenting in its effort to encourage and equip job makers within the state with all the needed support.

“This programme and equipment grant started in the early weeks of January 2022 and will run for three consecutive months. It is indeed a great start for entrepreneurs within the state.”

According to Mr Francis, the true currency of the economy lies not solely in financial markets but in the brilliant minds and innovative ideas that flourish within entrepreneurs of any society.

In line with its mandate, ONDEA came up with several initiatives that spanned areas such as training, capacity development, business support, and empowerment of entrepreneurs, SMEs, MSMEs, artisans, and aspiring business owners in Ondo State. Others included initiatives such as “Street To Skills”, “Cyber Money”, “Business Diagnostics and Advisory Centre,” entrepreneurship internships, ondomarketplace.com, and many others.

Likewise, the State Government also came up with the My Idea business pitch competition last year. The competition provided an avenue for entrepreneurs to showcase their mind-blowing business ideas. From the competition emerged 10 indigenous entrepreneurs in Ondo State who became beneficiaries of grants, mentorship, business support, international business trips, and many other benefits.

One of the beneficiaries, Olatunde Oladimeji Babafemi, in his testimonial, said, the Governor has raised the bar for entrepreneurship development in Nigeria. He has done things differently among other governors and he has changed the narrative of Ondo State.”

The Governor’s Special Adviser on Entrepreneurship, Mr Francis, revealed that the beneficiaries were also empowered with business grants, business support packages, mentorship, training, and an all-expense paid international business tour to Kenya and Rwanda.

“This approach is not only shaping a generation of resilient entrepreneurs but also creating an environment where innovation thrives, fostering an ecosystem that propels Ondo State to the global stage,” he added.

A few months ago, the  governor flagged off the Public Service Training Institute (PSTI) Youth Empowerment Programme and also unveiled an e-learning platform in Ilara-Mokin, Ifedore Local Government Area.

This was in addition to tech skills training for over 600 individuals. He also announced plans to establish new model technical schools in the  State and host the Global Entrepreneurship Festival later in the year to showcase youth talents and innovations.

Speaking at the event, Mr Governor said, “Our administration recognizes that government alone cannot drive economic growth. It is through proactive collaboration with communities through the empowerment of our youths that we can unlock the full potential of our economy.”

Still in a bid to empower the youths of Ondo State, the state government in June announced a grant of N2.5 million for 10 people who were willing to undertake training in any field of their choice and complete it successfully. The state  deputy governor, Dr. Olayide Adelami  had disclosed this at an interactive session with the youths of St Andrew’s Anglican Cathedral, Owo, organized by the Deputy Governor’s Office and the church.

Dr Adelami, while advising Nigerian youths to embrace entrepreneurship and skill acquisition to be self-reliant, stated in his opening remarks, “The essence of this gathering is for our young people to listen and interact with their peers who are successful in their trade.”

The deputy governor emphasized that entrepreneurship is a major solution to unemployment in the country, charging the youths to learn one skill or another to enable them to stand on their own.

His words: “You will agree with me that it may be impossible for every graduate to get a white-collar job. I urge you to take advantage of every empowerment training, initiated by the government or the private sector. So you can also be employers of labour.”

Several other resource persons who spoke at the event also admonished the youths to tread the path of entrepreneurship and self-reliance.

In commemoration of the 2024 World Youth Skills Day, the Ondo State Government also launched the ‘One Youth One Skill’ project.

Performing the symbolic inauguration of the project on July 15 at the Adegbemile Cultural Centre in Akure where he was represented by his deputy, Dr Olayide Adelami, the state governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, described the project as an innovative approach to getting young people to acquire skills needed to be self-reliant and globally competitive.

He said, “our administration has concluded arrangements to explore opportunities and partner with private sector and other development partners to build the capacity of our teeming unemployed youths  for sustainable job creation

“We are putting machinery in place to build two new model technical schools and upgrade the existing ones in the state to promote the acquisition of technical skills among our youths.”

Also speaking at the event, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Youth Empowerment and Job Creation, Orioye Gbayisemore, said, “from all indications, Mr. Governor has shown sufficient readiness to transform our youths into dependable drivers of peace and development as captured in this year’s theme of the World Youth Skills Day, which is Youth Skills for Peace and Development.”