UPYA @7: commitment to social entrepreneurship our passion - Ekure

... Apoki Pegs Problem of Nigerian Youths to Immediacy
The Urhobo Progressive Youth Association (UPYA) has reiterated its commitment to youth development through its social entrepreneurship programmes.

Speaking during the seven year anniversary of the group at Wellington Hotel, Effurun, Delta state on Saturday, September 30, its team leader, Marcus Ekure, called on stakeholders to join in the engagement of youths so as to ensure a crime-free society.

Marcus Ekure with graduating students

According to him, to drive employability, the need arose for youths', both graduates and unschooled, training and mental reengineering, giving rise to the emergence of an institute, the African Centre for Leadership, Entrepreneurship and Vocational Studies.

"We have been committed to social entrepreneurship for these seven years. It is our passion, what we live for, our joy, irrespective of the gains we get from it. If you look at what is happening in the society today, so much is going wrong. We cannot fold our hands and look at these things. What we are doing at UPYA is our own contribution to societal betterment."

Dr. Olotu commissioning the UPYA Mobile Empowerment Institute

Meanwhile, giving a lecture on the theme, 'Youth Entrepreneurship in Nigeria: Challenges and Prospects', Dr. Charles Apoki cited Nigeria's large population and consumption rate as opportunities to create wealth.

However, noting the lack of entrepreneurial skills, he said, "people are looking for change and better services but the challenge is the lack of entrepreneurial instruction", just as he described the Urhobo nation as "too comfortable with poverty and mediocrity."

He added, "The problem with the average Nigerian youth is with immediacy. As a young man, you can use the information age to great wealth. Every developing nation has lots of problems which could be translated into wealth

Group photograph with members of the high table

Discussing the theme, Dr. Sunny Awhefeada, echoed the need for hard work while, Benson Uhweru charged youths to strive for excellence, pointing out that it "will separate them from mediocrity."

Chairman of the ceremony, Dr. Ovie Ughwanogho, while lauding the association for a remarkable feat thus far, enjoined well-meaning sons and daughters of Urhobo extraction to support UPYA, in order to move the ethnic group forward.

It would be noted that UPYA through its database job solution platform has created employment opportunities to over 120 youths, trained over 5,000 youths and women in relevant vocations on scholarship, and has positively impacted over 50,000 college students in varying capacities.

The event further saw the presentation of awards, investiture of board of trustee members and patrons of the association and also, the commissioning and unveiling of UPYA Mobile Empowerment Institute, which will take skills to those in the hinterlands, as well as the blueprint of the UPYA International Youth Development Centre.

Veteran musician, Chief Sally Young performing

Awardees at the event are HRM Johnson Duku II, the Ovie of Effurun-Otor; HRM Dr. Wilson Oharisi III, the Ovie of Ughelli; Evang. Dr. S. O. Olotu; Prof. S. Iboje; Dr. P. C. Obakponovwe and veteran Urhobo High life musician, Sally Young, 86, who performed heartily and received an award as Most Outstanding Urhobo Artist, amongst others.