The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, who strongly believes in the future of Edo youths, has assured that his administration would continue to provide opportunities for them to thrive.
The Governor has continued to match words with action as he pursues policies and programs that guarantee the prosperity of all sectors of the State, particularly the entertainment and creative industry.
Through the Edo State Skills Development Agency, also known as EdoJobs, Mr. Obaseki is partnering with the French Government to launch an application called the EdoJobsSkillUp app.
The EdoJobsSkillUp app is an online mobile learning platform with unlimited access to top-notch training opportunities in the creative sector.
The three courses currently available on the app include; entrepreneurship in the music industry, shooting and editing a movie, and entrepreneurship in the cultural and creative industries with the aim of training 3,000 young people every year.
The program which opened in January, has been registering people up till March where a selection was done.
The online course was completed by 300 people; however, 40 persons were outstanding and were selected to participate in the physical class.
According to the Managing Director of EdoJobs, Mrs. Ukinebo Dare, the goal of the app is to equip young people in Edo State with the skills they need to excel in the creative industry.
“The Edo State Government is partnering with ROK Studios to shoot 50 movies in the State and with the ongoing training of these people, they would be well equipped to showcase their talent, hence, creating employment for them,” Dare said.
She said this when she visited the 40 persons who were selected for the physical class at the John Odigie-Oyegun Public Service Academy in Benin City.
The physical class which started on the 25th of April 2022, with lectures from the French experts, is expected to end on the 29th of April 2022.
Participants said the classes have been quite interesting and said they are very impressed and optimistic that the training will equip them with the skills they need to thrive in their various fields.
According to Victory Onaiwu, one of the trainees in the creative industry class, “the classes have been quite engaging and the facilitators are very experienced.”
She expressed her delight at the fact that just like other States are evolving, Edo State is not left out, and commended the Governor, Mr. Obaseki for the great initiative.
Another trainee from the music industry class, Rima Eduwuirofo, expressed a great deal of excitement about the sessions and said that he is gaining a lot of experience.
According to him, “it has always been my dream to become an artiste and the training would certainly help him build a career path. It is a great opportunity for me and I am very grateful to the government”.
The achievements of Governor Godwin Obaseki in the creative industry are indeed laudable. The partnership with the French Government will certainly open up great opportunities for the State as other countries would be challenged to come to partner with EdoJobs as well as invest in the State.
With the comprehensive security architecture that the Government has put in place in the State, the security of residents and their property is assured.
The EdoJobsSkillup app is a very welcome development by the government and everyone is encouraged to download the mobile app from their play store and take advantage of the opportunity to participate in the global creative industry.
By Wisdom Agbonta
