Delta Government To Partner MAN On Youth Skills And Entrepreneurship Development
THE Delta State Government has expressed its readiness to partner with the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) to support youth entrepreneurship and skills development in the state.
Governor Ifeanyi Okowa made the pledge on Wednesday when he received executive members of the Edo/Delta Chapter of MAN on a courtesy visit at Government House, Asaba.
Governor Okowa praised the role of manufacturers in boosting the state’s economy, particularly through job creation and tax contributions.
“You are important partners in our efforts to develop the state. Your businesses create jobs and generate revenue through taxes and levies,” he said.
He acknowledged the challenges businesses face, especially with infrastructure and energy, but assured MAN of the government’s continued support.
The governor emphasized the need for joint efforts in entrepreneurship development. He directed the Ministry of Trade and Investment and the Office of the Chief Economic Adviser to explore partnership opportunities with MAN.
“It is important we help our young people build the skills they need to succeed on their own. A partnership with MAN will make that possible,” Okowa added.
Addressing concerns raised by MAN over multiple taxation, the governor clarified that the state had already introduced a harmonized tax policy to make payments easier for businesses.
“We have instructed that each company should receive a single demand notice,” he said, adding that discussions would be held with local governments to further reduce the burden on manufacturers.
Governor Okowa also spoke about the ongoing power supply issues across Nigeria, noting that the current structure of energy generation and distribution needs urgent reform.
“We are concerned about the impact of poor electricity on industries. We pray things improve, so we don’t keep losing jobs.”
Earlier, Mr. Okwara Udensi, Chairman of the MAN Edo/Delta chapter, commended Governor Okowa for his achievements in road construction and youth empowerment programs.
He particularly praised the Skills Training and Entrepreneurship Programme (STEP), saying it had created opportunities for many young people.
“We are ready to engage and train youths who are willing to work. We also support your efforts to attract investors,” Udensi said.
He called for better coordination in tax collection and requested the inclusion of MAN representatives in the Delta Economic Council.
The Delta State Government’s commitment to youth development through partnerships with industry leaders like MAN marks a positive step toward reducing unemployment and supporting local manufacturing.
As both parties continue to work together, the goal remains clear: create jobs, empower youths, and grow the economy.
Delta To Partner MAN On Entrepreneurship Development
THE Delta Government on Wednesday, expressed readiness to partner Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) in developing youths in the state with skills and entrepreneurship development.
The Governor, Senator (Dr.) Ifeanyi Okowa, disclosed the government’s intention when he received on courtesy visit, the executive members of Edo/Delta Chapter of the Association at Government House, Asaba.
He commended the group for its contributions to the economic development of the state, and assured that the state government would partner MAN to train youths in the state on relevant skills.
“There is no doubt that you are definitely stakeholders in our partnership to develop our dear state because through your various manufacturing outfits, you are helping us to generate employment.
“I must commend you for your contributions to the development of our state through the taxes and levies that we generate from you across the state.
“More important is the fact that you are helping us in keeping our people in employment and it matters a lot to us.
“We realise that the development of roads is good for the movement of goods and services and at the moment it consumes a lot of our finances.
“I am particularly thrilled with the need to partner in entrepreneurship skills development and hope that the Ministry of Trade and Investments as well as Office of Chief Economic Adviser should look into the possibility of a partnership as soon as possible.
“This is very important as we look forward to helping the young ones develop the skills that will enable them to stand on their own in the future,’’ he said.
On complaint of multiple taxes on members of the association, the governor said the state government had harmonised taxes.
According to him, we have asked that we should have only one demand notice for any company in the state.
“The local government councils are a separate tier of government but we will talk with them because we don’t want to stifle our industries,” he stated.
On power supply challenges, Okowa said that there was still a problem with power generation and distribution in Nigeria, stressing that “any monopoly of generation and distribution will not augur well for the country both now and for the future’’.
“We pray that things get better for our manufacturers because we don’t want to continue to lose more jobs in the country,” the governor added.
Earlier, the Chairman of MAN in Edo/Delta, Mr. Okwara Udensi, had commended Governor Okowa for his outstanding accomplishments in road construction and various skill acquisition programmes for youths in the state.
He called for the harmonisation of taxes and levies in the state to make it much easier for the association’s members to pay, adding that manufacturers in both states were experiencing power challenges.
Udensi commended the state government for establishing an Economic Council as it required harnessing of ideas and appealed for the inclusion of MAN in the council.
“We are aware of your efforts to attract investors into the state and as stakeholders, we are ready and willing to partner with you in the development of the state.
“We thank you for the massive road construction in the state because as manufacturers we need roads to move our goods.
“As manufacturers, we are pleased with your efforts at developing youths in the state with skills acquisition programmes, especially the Skills Training and Entrepreneurship Programme (STEP).
“We are willing to engage youths who are willing to work and to share knowledge with our youths in Delta,” he said.