From raw minerals to global markets: Kogi empowers youths in Gemstone production

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

The Kogi State Government has unveiled an ambitious plan to position the state as a global centre for gemstone mining, jewellery production and value addition by equipping young people with technical and entrepreneurial skills aimed at creating jobs, curbing illegal mining and unlocking the vast economic potential of its solid mineral resources.

The Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Hon. Sunday Faleke, disclosed this on Tuesday at the inauguration of the Kogi State Youth Mining and Jewellery Craftsmanship Empowerment Programme in Abuja.

He described the initiative as a key component of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo’s economic diversification agenda and a strategic investment in youth empowerment, enterprise development and sustainable growth of the state’s mining sector.

Faleke noted that the government would put in place a robust monitoring and evaluation framework to ensure that beneficiaries translate the knowledge acquired into viable businesses capable of competing in both local and international markets.

He described the programme as a fulfilment of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo’s vision of empowering youths with practical skills while building a sustainable mining and gemstone value chain that would boost economic growth in Kogi State.

The commissioner expressed appreciation to the Governor for his unwavering commitment to youth development and economic transformation, noting that the governor’s support made the programme possible. He also commended the implementing partners for their dedication throughout the planning and inspection stages leading to the successful take-off of the initiative.

While charging the beneficiaries to approach the training with seriousness, discipline and determination, Faleke described the gemstone industry as one of the world’s most valuable industries capable of creating wealth and employment.

He said participants would receive training not only in mining and jewellery craftsmanship but also in entrepreneurship, business management and value addition, preparing them to participate in national and international markets.

Earlier while flagging off the programme, Governor Ododo said the initiative forms part of his administration’s strategy to combat illegal mining, create employment and empower indigenous youths to take advantage of the state’s abundant mineral resources. He stressed that rather than distributing handouts, the government is equipping young people with skills that would make them financially independent and productive contributors to the economy.

The governor added that developing local expertise in mining and jewellery production would help curb illegal exploitation of Kogi’s mineral resources while strengthening security and driving industrial growth across the state.

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Solid Minerals, Engr. Bashir Gegu, described the empowerment programme as another milestone in the Ododo administration’s commitment to economic diversification through the solid minerals sector, urging participants to remain focused throughout the three-month training and utilise the knowledge acquired to build successful enterprises.

Gegu said the initiative would not only create employment opportunities for young people but also deepen value addition in the mining sector, enabling Kogi State to maximise the economic benefits of its rich mineral deposits.

In his remarks, the Chief Executive Officer of Malivelihood Luxury, Dr. Olushola Awujuola, described the programme as the first of its kind in Nigeria and West Africa, saying the initiative was designed to move the country beyond exporting raw minerals by developing skilled professionals capable of transforming gemstones into high-value jewellery products for local and international markets.

Awujuola disclosed that the programme attracted over 16,000 applications from across Nigeria and other African countries, reflecting the growing interest in the initiative, adding that beneficiaries would undergo intensive practical training in mining, gemstone identification, jewellery design, craftsmanship and entrepreneurship to prepare them for careers across the gemstone value chain.