KWSG Strengthens Youth Capacity for Job Creation and Entrepreneurship Through SAPZ Initiative

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The Kwara State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to empowering young people with the skills, knowledge, and entrepreneurial capacity needed to create jobs, build sustainable businesses, and contribute meaningfully to the state's economic development.

The Commissioner for Finance, Dr. Hauwa Nuru, stated this at the opening ceremony of the Kwara State Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) Project Capacity-Building Programme on Job Creation and Entrepreneurship, held in Ilorin.

Dr. Nuru described the programme as a critical component of the administration's efforts to transform agriculture from a subsistence activity into a modern and commercially viable sector capable of creating employment opportunities, generating wealth and promoting inclusive economic growth.

According to her, agriculture in Kwara State extends beyond food production, as the government is deliberately focusing on strengthening the agricultural value chain, promoting enterprise development, building technical skills and creating sustainable economic opportunities for young people.

She noted that the programme was particularly important because the state's youthful population remains one of its greatest assets and must be equipped with the skills, entrepreneurial mindset and opportunities required to succeed.

"Training without opportunity is not enough. Our objective is to equip participants with practical skills that can be translated into businesses, employment and sustainable livelihoods," she said.

The Commissioner explained that the SAPZ initiative would provide a platform for connecting farmers to processors, processors to markets and young people to emerging opportunities across the agricultural value chain.

She encouraged participants to approach the training with seriousness and commitment, urging them to view it as an opportunity to acquire practical knowledge, develop valuable networks, identify business opportunities and position themselves to participate actively in Kwara's expanding agro-industrial economy.

Dr. Nuru reiterated the commitment of the Kwara State Government to creating an enabling environment for businesses and entrepreneurs through strategic partnerships, improved infrastructure, access to finance and enterprise development initiatives.

She also commended the development partners, implementing agencies, trainers, private-sector stakeholders and community representatives for their contributions to the successful organisation of the programme.

"Be innovative. Be entrepreneurial. Be prepared to create opportunities, not merely to seek them," she advised.

Earlier, the State Project Coordinator, Engr. Dr. Busari Isiaka, noted that livestock development remains one of the key priorities of the SAPZ Project, while significant attention is also being given to youth and women's empowerment.

He encouraged participants to actively engage in the training by asking questions and taking full advantage of the opportunity to enhance their knowledge and skills.

Engr. Busari also commended the Executive Governor of the State, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, CON, for his commitment to youth and women empowerment through programmes designed to improve livelihoods and promote economic development.

Also speaking, the Lead Consultant, Dr. Adekunle Adebayo of D-Positive Global Image Service Consult, commended the Kwara State Government for its commitment to innovative development initiatives, particularly those aimed at strengthening agricultural production and creating opportunities for young people.

He also appreciated the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) and other development partners for their support, stressing that all stakeholders have a collective responsibility to ensure that development initiatives produce tangible and sustainable results.

The programme brought together young people, development partners, implementing agencies, trainers and private-sector stakeholders to strengthen participants' capacity in job creation, entrepreneurship and participation in the agro-industrial value chain.

Declaring the programme open, Dr. Nuru expressed confidence that many of the businesses and entrepreneurs that would emerge from the initiative would become important contributors to the economic growth of Kwara State and Nigeria's broader agricultural transformation.


Babatunde Toyin Abdulrasheed
Press Secretary
Ministry of Finance, Kwara State
08032198900

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