Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa has said that Nigeria would witness speedy development through empowerment of youths with relevant skills and entrepreneurial programmes.

While receiving Mr. Sammy Francis, President, African Young Entrepreneurs and his team on a courtesy visit on Wednesday in Asaba, Okowa said that the nation’s economy would improve if the youths acquire relevant skills and are empowered to fend for themselves as entrepreneurs.

“We need to train the young ones with the necessary skills to make life worth living, that the crux of our programme to create wealth and jobs for our youths,” the Governor said, adding, “until we train our youths to fend for themselves and take care of their families, we may be breeding a mass of criminals that will create problem for the country.”

“We should look into all available means to take people out of poverty and take care of their families in the future,” the Governor reiterated.

He commended the African Young Entrepreneurs for their empowerment and entrepreneurial programmes, promising to partner with them in the development of the youths in the state.

According to him, “the state was training and empowering its youths and women so as to improve the family economy through the different skill acquisition programmes of my administration designed too to boost the socio-economic life of our state.”

Earlier, Francis has informed Okowa that they were in the state to carry out training and entrepreneurial programmes for youths, stressing that the state has one of the finest breed of smart entrepreneurs with budding businesses.

•Photo shows, from left; Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa; President of Africa’s Young Entrepreneurs (AYE) Mr.Sunny Francis and Joy Michael, during a courtesy call on the Governor in Asaba, Delta State.