UHUNMWODE COUNCIL COMES ALIVE AS COUNCIL CHAIRMAN, HON. IREDIA BENJAMIN OSA'S, ORGANIZES YOUTH SEMINAR TO COMMEMORATE 2025 WORLD YOUTH SKILLS DAY

PRESS RELEASE. NO. 021/ULGC/2025

UHUNMWODE COUNCIL COMES ALIVE AS COUNCIL CHAIRMAN, HON. IREDIA BENJAMIN OSA'S, ORGANIZES YOUTH SEMINAR TO COMMEMORATE 2025 WORLD YOUTH SKILLS DAY

In line with the global celebration of the 2025 World Youth Skills Day, and Governor Okpebholo's Youth Initative, the Chairman of Uhunmwode Local Government Area, Hon. Iredia Benjamin Osa's, successfully organized a Youth Development Seminar aimed at equipping young people across the LGA with critical life and entrepreneurial skills for a sustainable future.

In his inspiring opening remarks, Hon. Iredia Benjamin Osa’s reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering commitment to youth empowerment, education, and economic inclusion. He emphasized the importance of equipping the next generation with relevant skills and knowledge in today’s fast-changing world.

"Today, we are not just celebrating World Youth Skills Day; we are Celebrating Uhunmwode and investing in its future. Our youths are not liabilities, they are assets, they are the future ambassadors of Uhunmwode. With the right exposure, mentorship, and support, they can become creators of jobs, and human development," he stated.

The seminar featured a line up of seasoned professionals, entrepreneurs, and development experts like Barr. Mariam Ilavbare, Hon. Amien Agbama Napoleon and Mr Robert Akhimien who shared practical insights on key topics:

Youth Empowerment and Wealth Creation Through Knowledge and Exposure. Speakers emphasized the value of continuous learning, digital literacy, political policies and agricultural exposure to global best practices. They shared stories of ordinary youths who achieved extraordinary success through skill acquisition and self development.

Uhunmwode Local Government Area is richly blessed with natural resources fertile soil, vast agricultural land, forest resources, rivers, and mineral deposits. However, these endowments remain largely untapped due to a lack of awareness, inadequate information dissemination, and limited access to modern agricultural techniques by local farmers. Harnessing natural resources for local development, there is a growing need to create strategic frameworks to explore and utilize Uhunmwode’s natural resources sustainably. From palm oil and timber to cassava and potential solid minerals, Uhunmwode has what it takes to become an agricultural and economic hub within Edo State. However, this can only be achieved through proactive awareness campaigns, investment attraction, and public private partnerships.

Hon. Iredia Benjamin Osa's used the occasion to call on all stakeholders parents, schools, religious and traditional institutions to support skill based education and youth inclusion at all levels in line with our Governor, H.E Sen. Monday Okpebholo and the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr President, H.E Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR. 

"If we empower our youths today, we will secure our future tomorrow. Uhunmwode youth are the future and should take its place in the future of our dear State."

The participants at the seminar were cut across youths, and women from all 10 wards of Uhunmwode LGA, some selected community leaders, and stakeholders from the public and private sectors.

Signed:

Osaro Dennis Oyomare 

Chief Press Secretary 

Uhunmwode Local Government Council

July 16, 2025