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  At the young age of 34, few have achieved what Ukinebo Dare has been able to achieve in Edo State. Driven by a passion to enhance the educational system, Dare has started on a career path that would lead her to become the senior special assistant to the Edo state governor, Governor Godwin Obaseki on job creation and skills development popularly known as “Edojobs”.
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In 2019, she appeared on Avance Media’s 100 Most Influential Young Nigerians. But how did Ukinebo attain such a height at such a young age? It all started with a desire to teach people. After graduating with a degree in Computer Science, Ukinebo switched careers to capacity development which led to a stint with Poise Nigeria. She went on to earn her master’s degree in the UK and launch Poise Graduate Finishing Academy (PGFA), a training program that equips young people with employability skills using the PSENSE curriculum she designed. This program has been endorsed by the National Universities Commission (NUC) as a standard course for higher institutions. Thanks to her information technology roots, Ukinebo was instrumental in providing ICT and digital design training to youth from disadvantaged communities and connecting them to opportunities while she served as program director of Ekobits.
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eventually, this led to her appointment as the Special Assistant to the governor of Edo State on Skills Development and job creation. In this role, Ukinebo spearheaded the launch of the Edo innovation hub which led to a spike in job growth in the state. Ukinebo’s development programs and subsequent appointment occurred at a time when many Edo youths were notorious for leaving the country through illegal means. It was, however, through sensitisations and training that the youths were convinced to get on board the projects she and her team were offering. Ukinebo has won several awards including the Prize for Youth Employment at the Future Awards Africa in 2015 and the 2017 Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders. She remains an influence for many young Nigerians faced with the temptation of engaging in illegal activities as opposed to taking part in more productive endeavours.
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This article was first published on 7th May 2021

samuelokoruwa

My name is Samuel Okoruwa. I am an ardent researcher, reading is life and writing is fun.


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