By Eguaoba Justina
The Edo State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to youth empowerment, entrepreneurship and economic development, expressing readiness to partner with the Global Career Developer Industry Limited (GCDIL) on initiatives aimed at creating sustainable opportunities for young people.
The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Prince Kassim Afegbua, gave the assurance when he received a delegation from GCDIL, led by its Chief Executive Officer, Hon. Daniel Aikpokpodion, during a courtesy visit to the ministry in Benin City.
Afegbua, who was represented by the Director of Publication and Documentation in the Ministry, Mr Matthew Okusebor, commended GCDIL for its vision and commitment to youth development and economic empowerment.
He said the administration of Governor Monday Okpebholo places priority on the welfare, development and economic advancement of Edo residents, particularly young people, whom he described as an important component of the state’s human capital.
The commissioner highlighted some of the administration’s youth-focused initiatives, including automatic employment and master’s degree scholarships for first-class graduates who are indigenes of the state.
He added that the government had intensified efforts to tackle cultism and other social vices, with the aim of creating an enabling environment for young people to acquire relevant skills, become economically productive and contribute to the state’s development.
Afegbua assured the GCDIL delegation of the ministry’s support and collaboration for the proposed programmes, noting that initiatives that provide practical opportunities for young people align with the state’s broader development agenda.
Speaking during the engagement, Aikpokpodion presented the vision and objectives of the Edo Youth Economic Festival (EYEF) 2026, scheduled for December 3, 2026, at the Heritage Campus of Benson Idahosa University, First Ugbor, Benin City.
The festival, themed “Acceleration: From Ideas to Innovation, From Innovation to Production, From Production to Prosperity,” is designed to encourage young people to transition from consumers to creators, innovators and producers.
According to Aikpokpodion, EYEF 2026 will bring together young innovators, farmers, technology professionals, students, development partners, as well as public and private sector leaders to exchange ideas and explore opportunities for economic advancement.
The GCDIL chief executive also disclosed plans to introduce several initiatives in Edo, including clean biogas technology, youth-centred enterprise systems and the National Youth Ambassadors Initiative.
He said the organisation had established collaborations with local and international industry partners and expressed its willingness to work with the state government to advance youth development and economic empowerment.
Aikpokpodion further announced plans to establish agricultural hubs across the state’s 18 local government areas.
He explained that the hubs would provide young entrepreneurs with access to experimental farmland, technical support and other resources to enable them develop sustainable agricultural enterprises.
He appealed to the Ministry of Information and Strategy to support the publicity of EYEF 2026, particularly at the grassroots, to ensure that young people across the state are adequately informed about the programme.
Also present at the meeting were the Director of Information, Mrs Maureen Nwine, and the Director of Planning, Research and Strategy, Mrs Sonia Akingbade.
