The Kwara State government has flagged off the Graduate Entrepreneurship training of the QuickWin programme in collaboration with the Kwara State University, Malete and the State Polytechnic.

The training programme which has been designed for graduates with at least an OND (Ordinary National Diploma) certificate is to ensure job creation and regeneration.

Speaking at the KWASU Centre for Entrpreneurship, Sango Area, Ilorin and the Kwara Poly , the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed on Youth Empowerment, Alhaji Saka Babatunde, reiterated the state government's mandate to create opportunities for the teeming unemployed youths who leave the institutions of higher learning and get enmeshed in the unemployment pool.

He said "the aim of the programme is to take a departure from the present position of always seeking white collar jobs to becoming job creators, with strict adherence to the world best practices."

According to him, the classroom training, comprising theory and practical, shall last for four weeks after which the trainees shall embark on internship for four weeks with a reputable outfit that runs their chosen line of business, even as he enjoined the beneficiaries to make best use of the opportunity to justify their inclusion in the programme.

"You will be expected to come up with business plans in a cluster for empowerment.

Consequently, you are expected to from now begin to form your cluster groups. This is essential for easy access to the SME loan and development.

"The State government has not only enlisted you as participants in this training programme, but also has taken steps to cushion the effect of moving from your home to the training centre by placing you on a monthly stipend of 7,500 naira throughout the duration of your training, which expectedly should not exceed 12 weeks", he said.

Earlier in his remarks, the Director for Entrepreneurship, KWASU, Dr. Akeem Ajombadi, advised the trainees to imbibe a positive attitude to work, have a sense of team play and learn how to manage stress and tension with emotional intelligence.

According to him, attitude is everything; hence, trainees should see failure, obstacle or hardship as an opportunity in disguise, while making best use of the training programme.

Resource persons involved in entrepreneurship ventures were present at the event to share their wealth of experience with the trainees and to answer pertinent questions relating to their field of endeavours.