Canadian High Commissioner Visits YouLead Project, Lauds Role in Capacity Building In Young people

Amb. Perry Calderwood

From Diana Okon-Effiong, Calabar

The Canadian Government has commended the Youth Leadership, Entrepreneurship, Access and Development (YouLead) project for its role in building capacity of young people on entrepreneurship.

Mr Perry John Calderwood, the Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria, made the commendation Monday when he visited YouLead project at the School of Tropical Fish Breeding and Processing in Calabar.

The project is implemented by Cuso International, a Canadian non-governmental organisation funded by Global Affairs Canada. Young entrepreneurs are trained by YouLead project in fishery technology, production and marketing in the school.

Calderwood, said he was in Calabar to familiarise with entrepreneurs who were trained by YouLead project to start up small and medium scale businesses. Calderwood said that what he saw of the project were commendable and end encouraging.

The visit included briefings on the project’s activities in promoting youth employment and entrepreneurship. The areas of specialisation included the natural resources sector of agriculture, forestry, ecotourism and aquaculture in all 18 Local Government Areas in Cross River State.

He was accompanied by Head of Cooperation, Canadian High Commission in Nigeria, Linda Ehrichs. Cuso International’s Regional Director, Western-Central Africa, Mr Danny Pelletier, said YouLead project has been building the capacity of young women and men on entrepreneurship.

“In the last two years, we have planned a lot in YouLead, to put the project in place and now we have reached the stage where we have been able to train 350 youths every month on entrepreneurship. So far, we have trained about 1004 youths (523 women and 481 men) on entrepreneurship, and each of these youths can access further training.

“For example, we have trained up to 180 youths on how to set up a business in Aquaculture; and this is where the High Commissioner will be visiting today.

“What is important for us in YouLead is to make sure that we listen to the youths in Cross River State, make sure that we understand the reality and ensure that the project is meeting their needs.

“However, the message we gave to the youths is that we are not going to start a business for them, they have to take the initiative. They have to be hard working and disciplined, because it is not that easy.

“They have to be really committed; they have to put in their time, energy and the resources that is needed to set up their businesses,” he said.

YouLead is a five year project implemented by Cuso International. It aims to enhance sustainable economic prosperity for women, men and children in all 18 Local Government Areas of Cross Rivers. The Project is funded by Global Affairs, Canada.