The Kwara State Government has awarded N89.2m in grants to 12 young entrepreneurs to support their businesses, promote self-reliance and create employment opportunities.
The grants were disbursed through the Kwara State Social Investment Programme under its Youth Entrepreneurial Empowerment Scheme.
The General Manager of KWASSIP, Wasiu Tejidini, presented the cheques to the beneficiaries at his office in Ilorin on Monday.
The programme’s Press Secretary, Bolashade Yusuf, disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday.
Tejidini said the government considered it necessary to support young entrepreneurs with viable business ideas to help them grow their enterprises.
He explained, “The beneficiaries were selected following the approval of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, who reviewed their letters of request and business proposals.
“The beneficiaries and their respective grants are Firdauz Muhammed Wuraola of Drinks ‘N’ Grillz, N10m; Nimotallah Mohammed Kpayero of Ban Shea Products, N15.9m; Ahmed Kuburat of Kaddy Nigeria, N15m; Oloyede Ikmat Omoshalewa of Kwara Souvenir Store, N5m; and Fatigun Subomi Emmanuel of Waka Studios, N10m.
“Others are Anifowose Favour Boluwatife of Esthad Luxe Jewels, N3.3m; Ibrahim Maryam Modupeola of Kleen Klear, N5m; Ajiboye Opeyemi Rasheed of Tailorgang Fashion House, N5m; Yusuf Dolapo Azeezat of Day Varieties Enterprise, N5m; Akinyode Bosede Temilade of Global LightTrust Integrated Ventures, N5m; Badeji Sherifat Modupe of BSM Fashion, N5m; and Adeshewa Kolawole of Day-Yank Fashion, N5m.@
The KWASSIP general manager urged the beneficiaries to use the funds responsibly and in line with the objectives outlined in their applications.
He added that the agency’s monitoring and evaluation unit would assess the impact of the grants after six months or one year.
Tejidini also disclosed that the state government had supported more than 1,000 young people through its Kwapreneur programme, another KWASSIP initiative focused on youth empowerment and enterprise development.
He described the latest intervention as part of the government’s broader strategy to promote entrepreneurship and reduce dependence on government employment.
The KWASSIP boss also commended the governor’s support for entrepreneurship and skills development, as well as his administration’s investments in infrastructure, healthcare, security and education.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Ajiboye and Kpayero thanked the state government for the financial support, saying it would enable them to expand their businesses and create jobs.
They said the grants would help them acquire additional equipment, improve production capacity and employ more young people, enabling them to become economically independent.
“We really thank the government. This is an opportunity for us to create jobs for people out there, including fresh graduates. They can easily learn (from us) and get the right business skills to become self-sufficient,” Ajiboye said.
The Kwara State Government has pursued youth empowerment and enterprise development through the Kwara State Social Investment Programme, which implements initiatives aimed at supporting small businesses, encouraging self-employment and expanding economic opportunities for young people.
Through programmes such as Kwapreneur, the state seeks to help entrepreneurs develop sustainable businesses and contribute to job creation.