From Ighomuaye Lucky, Benin
The Dr. Paddy Emmanuel Foundation has given grants to 150 artisans in Edo State to complement the government’s efforts in creating jobs, tackling youths’ restiveness and bridging the gap of unemployment in the country.
Speaking at the event in Benin, the foundation founder, Paddy Iyamu, said he has realised that the government alone cannot shoulder the responsibility of creating jobs for over 200 million people.
“The Dr. Paddy Foundation has been in existence since 2017. And every year, we have this programme where we empower young people who don’t have the required funding to start their businesses or boost their business as it were.
“We are just contributing our own quarter because we feel when one is being enabled by God, he has to give back in fulfilling the scripture and also in making the world around you a better place,” Iyamu said.
Erio Progress, one of the beneficiaries, said she would invest the money into her computer business. “This grant will enable me to buy a new printer. That is what I majorly needed it for. It will help me buy a new printer so that I can advance my job.”
Another beneficiary, Mowete Victoria, who is into shoe making, described the gesture as a rare one and thanked the donor for coming to her aid.
Commending the foundation, Minister of State for Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, said the government cannot cater for its citizens alone but needs the help of private individuals to help reduce the level of unemployment in the country.
“When companies, agencies come together and save this country and the young people, the country will be a better country for all of us. This is what we are seeing today. That we have a single man and not even an organisation, a single man that is coming up to provide what I called a start up for the youths, it is a welcome development.
“This is a start up to encourage the youths and we believe this is going to go a long way for those at the grassroots. This is the partnership we are clamouring for. We want to empower the young people and no matter what they are, they can also provide for themselves. I am grateful that we have this kind of idea and I will implore a lot of private individuals to allow us to come together and do this and make a way for ourselves,” Olawande said.
The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Monday Okpebholo, appreciated the initiative of the foundation and made a donation of N10 million to support the 10 artisans.
The guest speaker, Linus Okorie, urged the youths to seek after knowledge, have the right attitude, an action mindset and skills and the right habits, adding that these are the things that will make them successful in life.
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