There is no doubt that entrepreneurship development plays a crucial role in shaping the economic landscape of nations, fostering innovation, and driving job creation. It represents the engine of economic growth and the catalyst for transformative change in developed and developing economies of the world.
For the sake of emphasis, this piece is anchored on the imperative of entrepreneurial development which refers to the process of enhancing the skills, knowledge, and attitudes necessary for individuals to become successful entrepreneurs. It involves creating an environment that fosters innovation, risk-taking, and business growth.
The key components of entrepreneurial development are an entrepreneurial mindset that is open to innovation, risk-taking, and adaptability; business skills such as business planning, marketing, finance, and management; networking which has to do with building relationships with mentors, investors, customers, and partners; access to resources which implies gaining access to funding, technology, and infrastructure, and mentorship (receiving guidance and support from experienced entrepreneurs).
Entrepreneurial development aims to create new job opportunities and stimulate economic growth; encourage innovation and the development of new products, services, and processes; contribute to the growth of the local, national, or global economy as well as help reduce poverty by creating opportunities for entrepreneurship and employment.
As a result of the critical roles of entrepreneurial development in stimulating employment generation and wealth creation in any economy, the federal government of Nigeria and the various sub-national governments across the country placed a high premium on entrepreneurial development initiatives to bolster the socio-economic growth and development of their respective economies.
Here in Delta State, the government has a policy template or framework designed to accelerate entrepreneurial development initiatives in the state. Only recently, on Tuesday, November 19, 2024, to be precise, the state Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, in his passionate determination to expand the frontiers of entrepreneurial development in the state, presented start-up packs to 311 beneficiaries of the Women Economic Skill Acquisition Programme (WESAP) of the state government.
The beneficiaries were made up of 220 women trained in fashion and design, hairdressing, catering, decoration and event management and make-up/gele tying as well as 91 persons with disabilities who were trained in ICT, confectionaries, fashion and design, leather work and industrial production.
Speaking at the ceremony held at the Event Centre, Asaba, Governor Oborevwori said his administration was fully committed to empowering citizens of the state to overcome life’s challenges and achieve their full potential and happiness.
According to him, the event marks another significant milestone in his administration’s journey to provide opportunities for all, in line with its MORE Agenda, adding that economic inclusion was the key to social cohesion in any society, saying “It is evident from the joy and excitement on the faces of our beneficiaries today that this intervention by the state government serves as a much-needed relief and a beacon of hope.
“We all understand how painful and frustrating it can be to possess a vision but lack the means to actualize it. Many of these men and women have acquired essential skills in their chosen fields of enterprise but, unfortunately, have not had the capital to launch their dreams.
“Through a rigorous process of interviews and selection conducted by the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community and Social Development, these individuals have been recommended for support by the state government.
“Today’s event marks another significant milestone in our administration’s journey to provide opportunities for all, in line with our MORE Agenda. As a government, we are fully committed to empowering our citizens to overcome life’s challenges and achieve their full potential and happiness.
“Today, we are proud to empower 311 individuals, providing them with tools to transform their lives. Economic inclusion is the key to social cohesion in any society. When citizens are not deprived or disadvantaged and are given the opportunities to grow in an enabling environment, they thrive. This is the essence of our administration’s various social investment programmes.”
He disclosed that significant progress has been made in empowering Deltans within this year alone, adding that over 203,204 persons have benefitted from various empowerment platforms of the state government. The Governor said 426 artisans, petty traders, and female entrepreneurs have been supported, pointing out that 6,000 farmers have received empowerment, with fertilizers distributed across the 25 local government areas of the state.
“Let me, also mention the focus on Agriculture under the Result Area ll of the FADAMA Food Security of the D-CARES Scheme as well as the release of ₦1bn counterpart funding from the African Union Development Agency, New Partnership for Africa Development to empower 2,000 farmers for food production in the state,” he added.
Speaking further, the Governor implored beneficiaries of the programme to justify the government’s huge investment in them by making judicious utilisation of the start-up packs distributed to them by the state government.
“To our esteemed beneficiaries, I have a few words of advice. As you begin your entrepreneurial journey, I urge you to make the most of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
“Justify the trust the government has placed in you by using these resources wisely. Remember, selling your starter pack or misusing the support given to you is a disservice to yourself, your community and the vision of this initiative,” he said.
Earlier in her welcome address, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Community and Social Development, Hon. Pat Ajudua said the event marked another milestone in the state government’s commitment to ensure empowerment and inclusivity in building a more prosperous Delta State.
She disclosed that the ceremony was a significant step in fulfilling the Ministry’s mandate to mainstreaming gender and human rights perspectives across all levels and to ensure that women and vulnerable groups were empowered to guarantee peace and sustainable development.
“In line with our mandate, we will continuously roll out programmes and activities that promote the welfare of women, children, persons living with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups in Delta State,” the Commissioner added.
While applauding the Governor for his passionate and patriotic commitment to the socio-economic welfare of Deltans, Hon Ajudua charged WESAP beneficiaries to leverage the opportunity provided for them by the state government to enhance their entrepreneurial drive.
In their separate goodwill messages, the Secretary to State Government (SSG), Dr Kingsley Emu and the Chief Job Creation Officer, Mr Ifeanyi Egwuyenga said the empowerment programmes of the present administration were aimed at wiping poverty out of the state and advised beneficiaries not to allow anyone deceive them to sell their start-up packs.
They equally thanked the governor for always approving resources for wealth creation and execution of socio-economic projects that have direct positive impacts on the lives of Deltans and residents of the state.
