Kogi State Government has taken a bold step towards transforming its vast solid mineral resources into sustainable economic opportunities with the launch of a government-driven mining value chain empowerment programme for youths, in a pioneering model that prioritises local ownership over dependence on portfolio investment.
The Kogi Youth Mining and Jewellery Craftsmanship Empowerment Programme, an initiative of the ministries of was unveiled by Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo at a ceremony in Abuja.
The programme is designed to equip young people with globally competitive skills in mineral processing, jewellery production and entrepreneurship, enabling them to create wealth from the state’s abundant mineral resources.
According to a statement by the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, Governor Ododo said the programme complements the youth-focused reforms of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which are designed to promote entrepreneurship, reduce unemployment and build a self-reliant economy.
“I urge our young people to appreciate the commitment President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has shown towards their future. The opportunities being created today are designed to prepare you for tomorrow. The best way to reciprocate this commitment is through hard work, discipline, patriotism and a determination to succeed,” the Governor said.
He noted that unlike the conventional approach of waiting for investors to establish value-addition industries, the initiative seeks to build a people-owned mining ecosystem by developing indigenous capacity across the mining and jewellery value chain, creating jobs and expanding economic opportunities for Kogi youths.
Governor Ododo stressed that his administration is focused on building productive entrepreneurs through practical skills acquisition rather than fostering dependence on government support.
“Our objective is not to give you temporary assistance but to equip you with lifelong skills that will make you financially independent, create employment for others and contribute meaningfully to the economy of our state and our nation,” he added.
The Governor noted that Kogi is endowed with 32 commercially viable solid minerals, describing the sector as one of the state’s greatest economic assets with immense potential for industrialisation, job creation and wealth generation.
He congratulated beneficiaries of the pioneer batch and urged them to maximise the opportunity, assuring them that the technical knowledge and practical skills they would acquire would position them to compete successfully in both local and international markets.
Governor Ododo also commended the programme’s technical partner, Malivelihood, for collaborating with the Kogi State Government to develop a highly skilled workforce capable of unlocking greater value from the state’s abundant mineral resources.
The Commissioner for Solid Minerals and Natural Resources, Engr. Bashir Gegu, described the initiative as another testament to Governor Ododo’s unwavering commitment to creating sustainable economic opportunities for young people.
He encouraged participants to remain dedicated throughout the training, noting that the programme offers a unique pathway to rewarding careers in one of Nigeria’s fastest-growing sectors.
Earlier, the Managing Director of Malivelihood, Dr. Olushola Awujoola, revealed that the programme attracted 16,900 applications from across the state, with 13,900 applications successfully processed.
He said 20 exceptional candidates were selected for the pioneer batch, adding that additional batches would commence immediately after the completion of the first phase.
Dr. Awujoola commended the Kogi State Government for its visionary investment in youth capacity development and assured Governor Ododo that participants would receive world-class training that meets international standards and prepares them for successful careers in the mining and jewellery industry.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Chubiojo Omachi from Ofu Local Government Area expressed appreciation to the Governor for investing in the future of Kogi youths through skills acquisition and entrepreneurship development.
She pledged that participants would maximise the opportunity by applying the knowledge gained to establish sustainable businesses while transferring the skills to other young people within their communities.
