The Ebonyi State Government has unveiled a comprehensive plan to promote skills acquisition and entrepreneurial development across the state, with a focus on uplifting artisans and reducing street hawking among residents.
Speaking in Abakaliki, the state’s Commissioner for Skills Development and Job Creation revealed that over 200 individuals are expected to benefit from a newly restructured initiative dubbed “Skill-Up Ebonyi.” The program, approved by Governor Francis Nwifuru, aims to provide targeted empowerment to artisans, offering them training opportunities and structured business support.
According to the Commissioner, the initiative aligns with the governor’s “People’s Charter of Needs” agenda, which emphasizes practical development over political rhetoric. He praised Governor Nwifuru’s hands-on approach to governance and his determination to address long-standing economic challenges facing Ebonyi’s youth and low-income earners.
Central to the empowerment drive is the establishment of an Industrial City in Ezzamgbo, Ohaukwu Local Government Area. The city is envisioned as a central hub for both skilled and unskilled individuals to acquire training, develop their talents, and receive post-training support, including the allocation of free shops within the industrial complex. The Commissioner confirmed that the project site has already been cleared, and several ministries, including Commerce and Industry, Trade and Investment, and Skills Development are collaborating on its implementation.
He noted that the plan goes beyond just training. The state government is determined to bring back Ebonyi indigenes involved in hawking across major cities like Lagos, where many recently faced displacement following the demolition of shops and trading centres.
As part of its broader strategy, the Ministry of Skills Development has also begun inspecting and evaluating abandoned and dilapidated skills acquisition centres across the state. On the ministry’s recommendation, the governor has committed to reviving these centres to boost capacity-building efforts.
The Commissioner assured the public that partnerships with the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) and other relevant agencies are in place to ensure transparency and accountability in the use of empowerment funds.
With the Skill-Up Ebonyi initiative now in motion, the government hopes to create a new generation of self-reliant artisans, reposition the state’s workforce for modern industry, and ultimately change the narrative of Ebonyi as a state known for street hawking.
