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World Bank to empower Akwa Ibom youths with $300m

By on August 3, 2013

The World Bank is to provide $300m empowerment fund for youths in Akwa Ibom State and some parts of the country.

The fund is aimed at developing farming and small-scale industries in all the beneficiary states.

The Sector Leader, Human Development, World Bank, Prof. Foluso Okunmadewa, explained in a statement made available in Uyo on Thursday that the bank approved the $300m intervention fund for youth empowerment programme to fulfil a request by the Federal Ministry of Finance.

Okunmadewa, who spoke with Akwa Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio during a courtesy visit, said, “Recently, The World Bank through the request of the Federal Ministry of Finance has approved a $300m intervention for youth empowerment.

And I know youth empowerment is extremely important in your administration. I can tell you that based on the insistence of the Country Director of The World Bank, Akwa Ibom is one of the states expected to benefit from this.”

Okunmadewa, who was accompanied by other World Bank officials, said  they had mobilised Zonal Managers in-charge of Community Social Development Project (CSDP) from 26 states of the federation, including the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja for The World Bank/Joint CSDP Review Management meeting in Uyo.

He added that there were many youths both in the rural areas and in Uyo that needed to be empowered.

He said the World Bank was willing and ready to collaborate with Akwa Ibom State for youth empowerment.

He commended the state government for partnering The World Bank, particularly in human development, health sector, and education.

“I am here principally to appreciate your partnership with The World Bank, particularly in the area of human development. Human development activities of the World Bank clearly complement your transformation agenda that has been widely regarded as uncommon,” he noted.

In his response, Akpabio thanked The World Bank for partnering the state on human capacity development.

He advised the bank to focus their development attention on the state.

He added, “There is a lot of problem at the shoreline of Akwa Ibom State.

I am excited about the youth empowerment programme of The World Bank and our state would be very delighted to take part in it. Youths of the Niger Delta are so many and need to be empowered.

“Our own is a little bit sad because this is a civil service state and we are trying to lay foundation for future industrialisation.

“Other states are lucky to have industries, factories and all that. So, they have various means of employment but here we don’t have.”

Akpabio instructed the Commissioner of Finance to immediately release the pending N300m counterpart funding to the bank to enable the state to benefit from other World Bank-assisted projects.

He assured the bank of the continuous support of the people of the state and government in its effort to alleviate the sufferings of Nigerians.

 

 

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