A business conglomerate, Stallion Group, has expressed interest in partnering the Bayelsa State Government on youth empowerment, sports and agricultural development.
The Regional Head of Stallion Group in Nigeria, Jayesh Shinde, who disclosed this during a courtesy call on the state Deputy Governor, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, said the company was ready to provide technical skills training for at least 200 youths from the state on assembling and repair of tricycles popularly known as “Keke” to boost youth empowerment.
He said that Stallion Group would also work with the state government in the area of developing critical sporting facilities and sponsorship, stressing that his company had on some occasions sponsored the Super Eagles in the past.
Jayesh said the company would encourage potential female Keke riders from Bayelsa by offering them special discounts and flexible terms of payment to acquire their own tricycles.
In his remarks, Ewhrudjakpo said the state government was excited over the offers made by the Stallion Group, adding that the Governor Douye Diri-led administration would do everything within its reach to ensure a mutually beneficial partnership.
He recalled that just few days earlier, he had told the officials and players of Bayelsa Queens FC that government would shop for sponsorship deals from corporate bodies to sponsor the two state-owned football teams.
Ewhrudjakpo said both Bayelsa United FC and Bayelsa Queens were open to sponsorship in kitting, transport and other logistics, especially now that Bayelsa Queens are going continental.
According to him, the government was ready to provide land and do everything necessary to enable the Stallion Group site one of its regional assembly plants and workshops in Bayelsa.
He said the government would work out all the necessary modalities with the conglomerate for its special three-day technical skills training for youths on “Keke” repair and maintenance.
The deputy governor, who said that the state was endowed with immense agricultural potential, called on the Stallion Group to also venture into agricultural business to create jobs and wealth.
