Deputy governor of Edo State, Dennis Idahosa, has tasked young people in the state to turn their ideas into businesses, create jobs and become drivers of economic growth.

He gave the charge in Benin on Tuesday while declaring open Edo Youth Impact Forum 2.0, where he highlighted the importance of ideas, capital and opportunity in helping young entrepreneurs succeed

 

Sharing his personal journey, the Deputy Governor recalled that he started as a young businessman before venturing into public service, where he served as Commissioner for Investment and Public-Private Partnership and later as a member of the House of Representatives.

 

He said his experience taught him how government decisions could either support or hinder businesses.

 

Idahosa urged young people not to allow their present circumstances to define their future, stressing that access to the right opportunities could transform their potential into success.

 

A major highlight of the forum was the N40 million grant pool for 10 outstanding youth-led ventures across seed, growth and scaled categories.

 

He described the initiative as a vote of confidence in the ability of young people to build sustainable businesses and create employment.

 

According to him, beneficiaries should see the grants as an opportunity to strengthen their businesses, reach more customers and create lasting impact.

 

He also encouraged those who do not emerge as winners to remain persistent, noting that one competition should not determine the future of an idea.

 

Citing successful Nigerian entrepreneurs such as Jim Ovia and Tony Elumelu, he said the next generation of Nigeria’s business leaders could emerge from Edo State.

 

He reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to building an Edo where young people can “work, innovate, invest and prosper,” while urging youths to move from merely seeking opportunities to creating opportunities for others.

 

“Your present circumstances do not determine or define your possibilities,” he said, urging Edo youths to remain prepared to seize opportunities when they come.

 

He called for stronger collaboration among the government, private sector and young people to build a prosperous future for Edo State and Nigeria.

 

Earlier in his welcome address, the Edo State Commissioner for Youth Affairs, Hon. Charity Uyimwen Amayaenvbo, said the Edo Youth Impact Forum 2.0 was designed to connect young people with ideas, capital, mentorship and opportunities, rather than serve as just another youth conference.

 

He emphasised that Edo youths already possess talents in areas including technology, entrepreneurship, fashion, entertainment, agriculture, engineering and the creative economy.

 

Amayaenvbo noted that the key responsibility was to identify, develop, finance and connect these talents so they could be transformed into sustainable businesses and economic value.

 

He stressed that true empowerment goes beyond temporary assistance or starter packs, adding that it involves equipping young people with skills, knowledge, financial discipline, mentorship, networks, and access to markets and funding.

 

He further challenged participants not to leave the two-day event the same way they came, but to leave with new ideas, relationships, knowledge and a determination to create impact.

 

According to him, “the ultimate goal is to raise a generation of confident, skilled, productive, innovative and globally competitive Edo youths who will create businesses, jobs and solutions.”

 

He stressed that the future is not something to wait for, but something to prepare for, build and create.