Maryam Aminu
In a major stride toward enhancing youth empowerment and inclusive national development, the Federal Government has officially transferred the management of the Agadagba Skill Acquisition Centre in Ondo State to the Federal Ministry of Youth Development.
The Centre, located in Ese Odo Local Government Area, will now serve as a hub for comprehensive youth development initiatives under the leadership of the Honourable Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande. The strategic takeover is aimed at expanding access to vocational training, digital innovation, leadership development, entrepreneurship, and civic engagement, particularly for youths in riverine and underserved areas.
Speaking during the handover ceremony in Abuja, Comrade Olawande unveiled the Ministry’s plans to upgrade the Centre into a fully functional National Youth Camp.
“This camp will serve as a rallying point for youth across the South West and the Niger Delta, particularly those from local communities who deserve equal access to national opportunities,” the Minister stated.
He further emphasized the Ministry’s commitment to introducing modern vocational programs, improving infrastructure, and deploying qualified personnel to run the Centre efficiently. Olawande also assured stakeholders including host communities and traditional leaders that the facility would be utilized with transparency and purpose.
The Minister praised Engr. Abubakar Momoh, Honourable Minister of Regional Development, for his role in facilitating the inter-ministerial collaboration, describing it as a “powerful demonstration of unity and shared purpose.”
Engr. Momoh, in his remarks, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to creating avenues for youth empowerment through skills training and innovation.
He revealed that development partners, including the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), are expected to support the transformation of the Centre into a model of excellence.
“This handover is more than symbolic; it represents a focused investment in Nigeria’s future through its youth,” Momoh stated.
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