• Home
  • NEWS
  • FG Adopts Imo Local Initiative to Tackle Unemployment, boost economy
FG Adopts Imo Local Initiative to Tackle Unemployment, boost economy
April 22, 2026 222 Views

FG Adopts Imo Local Initiative to Tackle Unemployment, boost economy

The Federal Government has approved a nationwide scale-up of the ‘One Kindred, One Business Initiative’ (OKOBI) of Imo Government as a strategy to tackle unemployment and boost the country’s economy.
Vice President Kashim Shettima announced this during Tuesday’s launch of OKOBI Students’ Club at Claretian University of Nigeria, Maryland, Nekede near Owerri.
The deputy governor of Imo, Mrs Chinyere Ekomaro, Mrs Rukaiya El-Rufai of the Office of the Vice President, IHS Nigeria Director of Sustainability, Mrs Titilope Oguntuga, and other dignitaries at the launch of OKOBI Students’ Club at Claretian University of Nigeria, Maryland, Nekede, near Owerri, yesterday
Shettima, represented by Mrs Rukaiya El-Rufai from the Office of the Vice President, emphasised that entrepreneurship had become a necessity in the country than an option for the growing youth population.
He said: “Let me emphasise that this initiative aligns strongly with our broader national priorities.
“It supports financial inclusion by encouraging savings, investment and access to finance.
“It promotes digital adoption, as many of these businesses can leverage technology for growth.”
The vice president further said that OKOBI advances gender inclusion and support for vulnerable groups, ensuring no one is left behind.
He further said that the initiative would improve Nigeria’s global Human Capital Index ranking by 2030 by focusing on collective action, helping communities and students transition from job seekers to job creators.
In his remark, Gov. Hope Uzodimma restated the State Government’s dedication to supporting innovation, entrepreneurship, and community-driven development.
“This initiative is not just a policy; it is a movement, designed to stimulate economic growth in our higher institutions and community levels.
“By doing so, we are fostering self-
reliance, creating employment opportunities, and strengthening the socio-economic fabric of the state,” Uzodimma, represented by his Deputy, Mrs Chinyere Ekomaro, said.
According to him, the State Government is not merely distributing funds but investing in ideas, in dreams, and in the future of our great state.
He urged members of the students’ club to utilise the platform for the execution of their “conceived ideas that would transform into impactful ventures”.
In an address, the Chief Economic Adviser to the Governor, Prof. Kenneth Amaeshi, emphasised that “OKOBI is an attempt by the government to address unemployment from the grassroots”.
He said that Imo, with about five million population and high literacy rate, was a victim of its success, following the migration of eligible workers to other states in search of jobs.
“About 50 per cent of the 3.5 million eligible working class are unemployed in the state,” he said.
He said that over 600 businesses under the initiative had so far created over 20,000 jobs in the state.
The governor’s aid, who explained that OKOBI is implemented in three categories, namely the community, social groups, and student club levels, urged individuals and communities nationwide to adopt the grassroots economic development.
He commended IHS Nigeria for endorsing the initiative through the donation of grants awarded to the beneficiaries.
Amaeshi also expressed delight over the adoption of the initiative by the Federal Government as a national strategy for grassroots economic development.
In a speech, the Director of Sustainability, IHS Nigeria, Mrs Titilope Oguntuga, said the initiative reflected a “clear commitment to empowering communities, strengthening local economies, and preparing a new generation of entrepreneurs.
“It is being recognised nationally for helping informal businesses open bank accounts and improve financial literacy,” Oguntuga said.
She further said that OKOBI framework aligned with broader national recovery efforts, describing it as a “shared economic vision that reduces risk and builds collective progress.
“We believe that when communities are equipped with the right tools and opportunities, they can transform their own future,” she said.
On his part, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Rev. Fr. Wence Madu, said the initiative would address the shortage in skills, trades and ingenuity in the state.
Madu lauded Uzodimma for the “well-thought out programme” as well as selecting the university as a beneficiary of the initiative.
Highlight of the event was the presentation of N9.5 million IHS grants to seven deserving multipurpose cooperative societies to support their community-driven businesses.
Category NEWS

About author

STARPOST
STARPOST 341 posts

View all posts by this author →

You might also like

NEWS

Yuletide: DNKI President Calls For Reduction in Airfares …laments poor Road infrastructure 

By Anyi Lemchi The International President of DeNorsemen Kclub International (DNKI), Dr. Aniekanabasi Paulinus Alban (SKILLA), has called on the Federal Government and airline operators to urgently reduce the high

NEWS

Proposed Yuletide Airfare Hike:  Constitutional Lawyer, Ikenna Ahumibe Drags Air Peace, United Nigeria Airlines To FCCPC, ICPC 

By Ethel Ahanaonu A constitutional and Human rights lawyer,  Ikenna Ahumibe esq has dragged the managements of Air Peace and the  United Nigeria Airlines To Federal Competition and Consumer protection

NEWS

Non Ibo Traders Express Happiness Over Uzodimma’s Return to Office 

By Our Reporter Imo-based traders of Nigerien Republic  and Northern Nigeria extraction have expressed happiness over the re-election of the state governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma for a second term in

NEWS

Ebonyi Govt Disburses farm Inputs to Afikpo farmers

From Kelechi OKORO, Ebonyi State Ebonyi State Government, has commenced the distribution of farm inputs, to farmers in Afikpo LGA. State Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Princess Nkechinyere Iyioku,

NEWS

Environment Commissioner, Hon. Major Emenike:   The True Face of 3R Administration in Onuimo LGA … Others Are Sycophants – Onuimo Indigenes 

By ThankGod Emeh The impact of governance in Onuimo Local Government Area of Imo state in the area of infrastructural development, responsiveness over time has continued to fuel widespread support

NEWS

Imo State Pilgrims Complete Their Pilgrimage Rites in Israel …to arrive Owerri Sunday

From, IfeanyiNwanguma,  Jerusalem The three hundred Pilgrims that left Imo State on 28th of April 2023 for Holy pilgrimage in Jordan and Israel have successfully completed their pilgrimage rites in the

0 Comments

No Comments Yet!

You can be first to comment this post!

Leave a Reply

Let's talk, Leave a Reply