Okpebholo urges youths to become problem solvers

Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo has challenged young people to become active problem solvers, urging them to shift their focus from complaining about the nation's situation to taking constructive action. He emphasized that regardless of their chosen field, youths should work diligently and remain prepared to capitalize on emerging opportunities.

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Ask yourself, what you can do to fix a problem in your community, within your environment, instead of just sitting down to complain and grumbling, raining abuses; you can choose to do something. Take action. Part of taking action might just be participating. Participate, be involved. Let us not just be on social media abusing and complaining.

Speaking at the Edo Youth Impact Forum 2.0 in Benin City, themed ‘Ideas, Capital and Impact,’ Governor Okpebholo, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Ikhilor, reaffirmed his administration's commitment to youth welfare and development. He encouraged attendees to identify problems within their communities and environments, advocating for participation and involvement rather than passive criticism or social media complaints.

The governor expressed satisfaction with the forum's activities, noting that it aligns with the government's agenda for human capacity building. He highlighted the forum's practical approach to youth empowerment through training, master classes, and subsequent support.

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Whether in the digital space, the music industry, the fashion industry, even the agricultural industry and all that, continue to do what you are doing and do it well. Someday, the opportunities will come, and it will meet your preparation.

Kizito Okpebholo, the Team Lead and Special Adviser on Finance, Investments, and Revenue Generation, detailed the forum's initiatives. Building on the previous year's success, which provided N10 million in grants to five startup ideas, this year's event will distribute N40 million in grants to 11 business groups across various categories. This initiative aims to translate the governor's directive to create a unique youth empowerment program that fosters practical skills and entrepreneurial development.

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Last year, he tasked me to do something for our youth. He said, ‘ Go and do something for our youth. Go and plan a programme for our youth; something that is different from every other kind of youth empowerment programme.