Following the inauguration of Ward Development Committees in Orhionmwon Local Government Area, by the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, officials of the state government have commenced engagement with community leaders, resulting in the identification of the need for a skills center by indigenes and residents of Okogbo in Ukpato Ward of the local council.

Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki (left); Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Skills Development and Job Creation/Head, EdoJobs, Mrs. Dare Ukinebo, during the governor’s inspection of ongoing reconstruction of the Institute of Continuing Education, Benin City, to serve as an Innovation Hub in Benin City.

The priority projects were agreed on at a meeting attended by the officials of the state government and community leaders and other members of the community.

The Commissioner for Arts, Culture, Tourism and Diaspora Affairs, Hon. Osazee Osemwingie-Ero, said members of the community would be trained in textile design, leather works, welding and fabrication, sewing, among others, as the state government rolls out its machineries to deepen grassroots development.

Osaze-Ero noted that more infrastructural projects including the construction of mini-stadium and roads are in the offing as Governor Godwin Obaseki is committed to upscaling development in the local council area.

He said the projects will discourage illegal migration among the youth, adding that members of the community and their leaders must do more to support the effort of the government.

Member, representing Orhionmwon Constituency I in Edo State House of Assembly, Hon. Roland Asoro, said the Obaseki-led administration was making history by constructing the first tarred road in the community.

Asoro said it would only be rational to reciprocate the gestures of the state government.

Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Skills Development and Job Creation, Mrs. Ukinebo Dare, explained that all government’s Ministries, Departments and Agencies in the state will contribute to the success of the center, as plans are underway to equip the youth with relevant skills.

She urged members of the community to take ownership of the project and protect it from vandals.

Mrs. Ukinebo said officials of EdoJobs were already visiting wards across the local government council to identify individuals, who are unemployed to pave way for the siting of skills development centres across the local government for training youth in various skills.

Community leaders and residents of the community described the project as laudable and pledged to cooperate with the state government in protecting it.