Business
Youth Leader Tasks Govt On Employment Generation
A youth development crusader, Alhaji Umar Isma’il, has urged the various tiers of government on the need of strengthening poverty alleviation programmes and employment generation agencies, to reduce poverty and vices among youths.
Isma’il, the President of Champions Youth Development Association of Nigeria (CYDAN), a non-governmental organisation made the appeal in Lagos Office recently.
He said that the Federal Government should adequately fund agencies and programmes, such as the National Directorate of Employment and the National Poverty Eradication Programme, to achieve the goals of poverty reduction.
He regretted that some youths had taken to crimes due to unemployment and poverty, and expressed optimism that meaningful engagement of the youth would reduce vices.
Isma’il also urged empowerment of the youth, through vocational training and sound education to encourage them to be self-reliant.
He said that many youths were endowed with talents that could enable them to be self-dependent, if developed.
The association’s president, however, advised the youth to discover their talents for personal and national development.
He urged them to resist being used by unpatriotic Nigerians to perpetrate violence and other vices.
Isma’il called on the government to implement the National Identity Card Project as a strategy to improve security.
He claimed that some perpetrators of violence in Nigeria were not citizens, and that identity cards would help to identify and fish them out.
The CYDAN boss said that the implementation of the project would also enable governments at all levels and organisations to make adequate projections and plan for youths and other Nigerians.
Isma’il said the youth development organisation, established on December 17, 2011, was committed to societal transformation, through guidance and empowerment of youths.
He said that the association had registered its presence in 13 states and trained about 2,000 youths in soap making and other vocations.
Isma’il said that the self-sustaining association gave some of the trainees N10,000 each to start their businesses.
Mr Dele Bodunde, a Deputy Editor-in-Chief of NAN, who received Isma’il on behalf of the Head of Lagos Office, Mr Isaac Ighure, commended the association’s efforts.
Bodunde urged the association to emphasise technology in the training of youths, since societal development had become technology-driven.
“Technology is the future of Nigeria; your activities should be ICT-driven,’’ he said.
He said, “technology is the future of Nigeria, your activities should be ICT-driven.
The facility will be disbursed through participating Microfinance Institutions (MFIs), which will in turn extend the loans to their customers, particularly SMEs, as they directly interface with businesses at the grassroots level.
The Executive Director of COMCIN, Mr. Micheal Ogbaa who represented the Chairman, Dr. Iredele Oyedele (FCA, FCCA), said the initiative is designed to strengthen micro-lending institutions and expand access to finance for grassroots entrepreneurs, particularly women and youths in the informal sector.
Ogbaa explained that COMCIN does not lend directly to individuals but works through its network of microfinance and cooperative institutions, which in turn provide loans to end users.
“We came together to advocate for the microfinance ecosystem. Commercial banks often exclude people at the grassroots, but our members are positioned to reach them. This facility will empower them to do more,” he said.
He noted that the loan scheme offers low interest rates and flexible repayment plans, making it more accessible to small business owners.
According to him, about 90 percent of beneficiaries are expected to be women, who play a key role in sustaining families and driving economic activities at the local level.
“Our focus is on traders, service providers, and players in the informal sector. These are the real movers of the economy. By supporting them, we are strengthening families and contributing to national development,” he added.
Ogbaa disclosed that eligible SMEs with proven integrity and business track records could access up to N5 million each through participating micro-lending institutions. The rollout has commenced in Lagos and will extend to Abuja, Enugu, and other regions, including the South-West, South-East, and North-East.
He said 12 micro-lending institutions have already benefited from the scheme, while 85 applications are currently being processed under the pilot phase.
“Our target is to reach at least 100,000 SMEs nationwide. We are building a platform that connects funding partners with credible micro-lending institutions, creating a reliable channel for financial inclusion,” Ogbaa said.
He added that COMCIN is also working to attract larger funding pools from development finance institutions and private investors, noting that successful implementation of the pilot phase would boost confidence and unlock more capital for SMEs.
“We have seen encouraging testimonies from early beneficiaries. As we demonstrate transparency and efficiency, more institutions will be willing to channel funds through us,” he said.
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