Bayelsa Govt Empowers 600 Entrepreneurs With N90m Grants, Free POS Terminals

The Bayelsa State Government has disbursed N90 million in business support grants to 600 young entrepreneurs, including women and youths, under the Douye Diri Skills Acquisition and Empowerment Programme.

Hotnews reports that each beneficiary received N150,000 alongside a free Point-of-Sale (POS) terminal to strengthen their businesses and promote financial inclusion across the state.

The beneficiaries, who successfully completed skills training and registration with the Federal University Otuoke, received the support at the weekend during activities marking the 2026 World Entrepreneurship Day at the Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha Memorial Banquet Hall, Government House, Yenagoa.

Represented by his Deputy, Dr. Peter Akpe, Governor Douye Diri said his administration remained committed to creating a conducive environment for businesses to grow and thrive.

He described skills acquisition and capacity building as critical tools for reducing capital flight and creating employment opportunities, urging youths to acquire vocational skills alongside formal education.

The Governor also called on school curriculum planners to incorporate practical skills acquisition and make entrepreneurship development a key component of the education system.

Governor Diri urged Bayelsans to patronise locally produced goods to support indigenous businesses, while charging the 600 beneficiaries to remain consistent and resilient in growing their enterprises.

He commended his Technical Adviser on Entrepreneurship Development, Mrs Charity Kens-Godwin, for her vision, commitment and leadership in advancing the programme.

Earlier, Kens-Godwin said the event was organised to honour 600 outstanding beneficiaries of the skills empowerment programme. She disclosed that more than 5,000 Bayelsans had so far been trained and equipped with various skills under the initiative.

She further revealed that her office had facilitated the registration of about 2,000 Bayelsa-owned businesses with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), while more than 32,000 applications had been received from the eight local government areas ahead of Phase Four of the programme.

The initiative underscores the Diri administration’s commitment to promoting entrepreneurship, empowering youths and strengthening locally owned businesses as drivers of economic growth in Bayelsa State.

~ Hot News Reporters
Thursday 27, August, 2026