The Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, on Wednesday, said that his administration has given youths of the state all the necessary tools and created an enabling environment for them to thrive in their various fields of endeavour.
The governor disclosed this at the 2025 Edo Youth Impact Forum with the theme:
“Empowered youths transformed future”, which was held at the Sir Victor Uwaifo Creative Hub, Airport Road in Benin City, Edo State.
The governor also said that his administration has put strategies in place to support more youths and ensure they are empowered to thrive in their chosen fields.
The governor, who was represented by the Secretary to Edo State Government, Barrister Umar Ikhilor, noted: “As a government, we have a strong inclination towards empowering our youths and giving them the necessary tools and creating the enabling environment for them to thrive in all they do.
“This programme is a testament to the SHINE agenda of our administration in the state. Our administration is empowering our youths to go out and make things happen, as this is the beginning of greater things to come. As a government, we are doing a whole lot to support the youths and empower them through the Edo State Skills Development Agency, and thousands of people have been trained.
“The governor approved an interest-free loan for Edo people, including the youths, and this move is part of empowering our people to create wealth and improve the socio-economic environment of the State. Disbursement of the first trench of the N1 billion loan has commenced.”
The governor said that his administration has given youths all the necessary tools and created an enabling environment for them to thrive in their various fields of endeavour.
He added, “Today is meant to give birth to dreams that will change the world, and the skills agency has successfully created individuals who have gone out to do greater things.”
“I encourage the youths to continue to push their ideas and someday become the big things to happen to the State, Country and World at large.”
The Coordinator, Office of the First Lady, Edesili Okpebholo, said the Okpebholo-led administration recognised the importance of the youth and has continued to support the youth to attain success in all they do.
She noted that the Edo State Government encourages the youths to take charge of their future by identifying their talents and ideas to enable them to conquer the future.
“Shun all forms of cultism, rape, fraudulent activities and more but do all to contribute to the development of the school.”
In his goodwill message, APC National Youth Leader, Dayo Israel, encouraged the youths to be determined, committed, and courageous to face life challenges head-on, not allowing their ideas and dreams to die.
He noted that Africa has the biggest opportunity in the youth population, urging the government to tap into the talent of the youth population, supporting them to achieve their dreams.
In his remarks, the team lead of EYIF 2025, Kizito Okpebholo, said: “This idea of the programme originated from the governor and the programme produced a millionaire ‘Hack the future challenge.”
Dr. Iyere Great, Prince-Will Okpe, Joseph Origho, Chidinma Aduba, and Oluchi Edozie all won N2 million each for their idea at the Hack the Future Challenge. The money is seed capital for the idea they pitched at the grant competition.
The other five finalists went home with N1 million each to support their idea and talent displayed at the EYIF 2025.
Edo youths impact forum (EYIF) 2025 also had a master class session led by industry experts, which included founder/CEO, Metroman Goldie Iyamu, a content creator and founder of Kagan Tech, Oladapo Segun and Jonathan Gbadamasi, known as MC Edo Pikin, who took the audience on various aspects of using social media to impact society positively.
Other guests at the event include the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Hon Paul Ohonbamu; Commissioner for Education, Paddy Iyamu; Commissioner for Mining, Oil and Gas, Andrew Ijegbai; members of Edo State House of Assembly (EDHA); Permanent Secretaries; heads of agencies, amongst others.
