16th August, 2017
The wife of the Lagos State Governor, Mrs Bolanle Ambode, says concerted effort is needed to empower the nation’s teeming youths with relevant skills and put them in a position to generate steady income.
Ambode spoke on Wednesday at a two-day entrepreneurial training organised by Hope for Women in Nigeria Initiative (HOFOWEM) — her pet project — for youths aged from 15 to 34 years.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the training was part of activities to mark the 2017 International Youth Day.
More than 80 youths were trained in skills like baking technology, piggery, fish, grass-cutter, mushroom, poultry, snail and vegetable farming.
Ambode said it had become necessary to explore viable ways of generating viable employment for the vibrant and ‘job-hungry’ youths, aside strict office jobs.|
“When you have a skill, it helps you to employ yourself, and when you employ yourself, you enjoy the freedom and peace of mind to drive your own business.
“If you are committed and hard-working enough, you will grow your business to such levels that you make more money than you can ever earn as salary from any employer.
“This is why we are laying this platform for our youths in Lagos State,” she said.
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The governor’s wife urged youths to put to good use all they had learned and be prepared for a better tomorrow, saying it was achievable.
“I am very passionate and optimistic about a better tomorrow. It is achievable. It is doable. I urge you to put to good use all you have learnt. Congratulations and see you at the top,” she said.
Ambode, who described the programme as a pilot one for the youths, promised that more of such skill acquisition training would be organised in future for their benefit.
Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer of the Foundation, Ms Oyefunke Adeleke, urged the beneficiaries to use the opportunity to transform their lives permanently for good.
Adeleke said that entrepreneurship programme was to empower youths with various skills that appeal to their passion from which they could be financially independent as entrepreneurs, rather than waiting endlessly for white-collar jobs.
She said that since inception, HOFOWEM had undertaken many people-friendly programmes, including widows’ empowerment, support for expectant mothers, kits for pupils in public primary schools, sponsored surgical procedures, among others.
Some of the beneficiaries commended Ambode for her kindness and passion for improving the welfare of youths in the state, promising that they would make the best use of the opportunity presented to them.