By Kingsley Ohens
BENIN CITY — Commendations have continued to pour in from leaders, women, community stakeholders and youths across Esan South East Constituency over the decision of the Founder and President of the Dr. Ernest Iyere Ahamioje Initiatives, Dr. Ernest Iyere Ahamioje, to sponsor 20 young people from the constituency’s 10 wards to participate in the Edo Youth Impact Forum (EYIF) 2.0 in Benin City.
The sponsorship, which provided beneficiaries with the opportunity to participate in the two-day youth development programme at the Victor Uwaifo Creative Hub, has been described as a significant investment in the intellectual, entrepreneurial and leadership development of young people in Esan South East.
The EYIF 2.0, themed “Ideas, Capital and Impact,” brought together young people, entrepreneurs, professionals and development-focused stakeholders for practical sessions and masterclasses covering entrepreneurship, innovation, technology, leadership, personal development and emerging economic opportunities.
Reacting to the gesture, several community stakeholders said Ahamioje had demonstrated that genuine youth empowerment should not be measured only by immediate financial assistance, but also by the quality of opportunities created for young people to acquire knowledge, build networks and discover pathways to sustainable success.
A community leader, Chief Osahon Eromosele, described the sponsorship as “a thoughtful investment in the future of Esan South East,” noting that deliberately selecting beneficiaries across all 10 wards gave the initiative a strong grassroots character.
According to him, “When you invest in the mind of a young person, you are investing in a family, a community and, ultimately, the future of society. Dr. Ahamioje has shown that youth empowerment can be strategic, inclusive and impactful.”
Another stakeholder, Mrs. Blessing Okojie, said the initiative deserved commendation because it exposed young people to ideas and opportunities that might otherwise remain beyond their reach.
She said, “Many young people have the ability and ambition to succeed, but they need exposure, mentorship and the right environment. Taking these youths to a programme of this calibre gives them an opportunity to see what is possible and to learn directly from people who are already making an impact.”
Women leaders in the constituency also praised the initiative, describing it as a gesture capable of producing long-term benefits for families and communities.
Mrs. Comfort Ekhine, a community women leader, said mothers were particularly encouraged whenever individuals and organisations invested in the education, skills and future prospects of young people.
“Every mother wants to see her children become responsible and successful. What Dr. Ahamioje has done goes beyond giving young people temporary relief. He has helped them gain knowledge and exposure that they can carry with them for many years,” she said.
The beneficiaries themselves expressed appreciation to Ahamioje, saying the experience had broadened their understanding of entrepreneurship, leadership, innovation and the opportunities available to young Nigerians.
One of the participants, Ayodele Peggy, said the forum challenged her to think beyond conventional career paths.
“Before the programme, I had ideas, but I did not fully understand how to develop them into something sustainable. The sessions opened my mind to new possibilities and showed me the importance of networking, continuous learning and taking action,” he said.
Another beneficiary, Faith Obaga, said the opportunity had strengthened her confidence and determination to contribute positively to her community.
She noted that being selected alongside youths from different wards also provided an opportunity for participants to build relationships that could eventually translate into collaborative community projects.
For Jasper Usifoh, another beneficiary, Ahamioje’s intervention demonstrated that meaningful leadership is about creating opportunities for others to grow.
“He did not simply tell young people to succeed; he created an avenue for them to learn how to succeed. That is the kind of intervention young people need,” he said.
The commendations were not limited to the beneficiaries. Several community opinion leaders also applauded Ahamioje for deliberately ensuring that the sponsorship covered youths from the constituency’s 10 wards.
They said the geographical spread of the beneficiaries made the intervention more inclusive and demonstrated an understanding that youth development should reach communities at the grassroots rather than remain concentrated in urban centres.
A youth advocate, Comrade Richard Igbinovia, said the initiative could serve as a model for other individuals, corporate organisations and community leaders.
“Instead of waiting for government alone to solve every challenge facing our young people, people with the means and influence should complement government efforts. Dr. Ahamioje has shown what is possible when private individuals deliberately invest in human capital,” he said.
The stakeholders also commended the Edo State Government under Governor Monday Okpebholo for creating platforms that bring young people together for capacity building, entrepreneurship, innovation and leadership development.
They noted that programmes such as EYIF provide a valuable bridge between young people and the knowledge, networks and opportunities required to participate meaningfully in the modern economy.
According to them, the administration’s emphasis on human-capital development, education, innovation and youth empowerment under its SHINE Agenda represents an important component of building a productive and economically resilient generation.
They urged the government to continue expanding youth-focused programmes while encouraging private individuals and organisations to complement such efforts through scholarships, mentorship, skills acquisition, entrepreneurship support and access to professional networks.
The stakeholders further called on the beneficiaries of Ahamioje’s sponsorship to justify the confidence placed in them by turning the knowledge gained at EYIF 2.0 into practical results.
They said the real measure of the intervention would not simply be the number of young people who attended the forum, but the number who would subsequently launch viable ventures, develop innovative ideas, secure opportunities, mentor others and contribute meaningfully to their communities.
The beneficiaries, in response, pledged to put their experience to productive use, promising to share lessons from the programme with other young people and explore collaborative initiatives that could create value within Esan South East.
For many of the stakeholders, the intervention has therefore become a subject of wider commendation because it combines opportunity, inclusion and human-capital development.
They described Dr. Ahamioje’s sponsorship of 20 youths as a timely reminder that sustainable community development begins with people, particularly young people who possess the energy, creativity and capacity to drive positive change.
As commendations continue to come from across Esan South East, community leaders, mothers and youths said the gesture should inspire more people of goodwill to invest in programmes that equip young people not merely to seek opportunities, but to create them.
For the beneficiaries, EYIF 2.0 may have lasted only two days, but the knowledge, relationships and exposure gained from the experience, they said, could influence their lives and ambitions for years to come.
Discover more from Urbanscoopnews
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
