LAGOS GOVT COLLABORATES WITH ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT CENTER TO BOOST JOB OPPORTUNITIES

 

 

Lagos State Government through the Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment has concluded plans to commence a Capacity Building and Human Capital Development training program for Youth on skills and knowledge necessary for Employability and Entrepreneurship growth tagged “THE TRANSFORMING NIGERIAN YOUTH PROGRAMME”.

The training scheduled to kick off in the first quarter of this year, is a collaboration between the Lagos State Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment and the Enterprise Development Centre (EDC) of the Pan Atlantic University.

Addressing a Press Briefing organised to herald the commencement of the training programme in Lagos, the Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Hon. Akinyemi Ajigbotafe said that 10,000 Women would be trained within the next 24 months using a combination of online partner-sponsored and physical community learning under the program.

He stated that the application for the training programme would be opened to all youth in the 20 Local Government Areas and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in the State, stressing that a seed capital of N200,000 would be given to the best 80 participants, who successfully complete the programme.

While enunciating the importance of collaboration, Ajigbotafe said that to actualise the mandate of the Ministry in the areas of executing policies on Wealth Creation and Employment-related issues in the State, the Ministry needs to broaden its partnership drive and expand its collaboration with relevant Stakeholders.

He added that the present economic situation in Nigeria and across the globe, also makes it obvious that the Government can no longer work in isolation; hence, the need to collaborate with the Organised Private Sector to actualize her dream of Wealth Creation and Employment for the teeming Youth in Lagos State.

“This informed the Partnership with the Enterprise Development Centre of the Pan–Atlantic University on Capacity Building and Human Capital Development for Youth on skills and knowledge necessary for Employability and Entrepreneurship growth for the development of the State through the Transformation of Nigerian Youths program powered by the MasterCard foundation,” the Commissioner added.

Speaking about the capacity of EDC to deliver on the programme, the Commissioner informed that the training firm has been in existence for over 20 years and has the focus to deepen the ecosystem, empower and develop the mindset of young people in the areas of entrepreneurship training, creative art, digital and agro-based business sectors considered to be the most attractive to young people.

He explained that beyond the training, the organisation will enable the business advice component, capacity building, and exposure of the Participants to various platforms to launch their businesses.

Ajigbotafe also disclosed that the ultimate aim of the program is to create a network of dynamic entrepreneurs and managers with a specific focus on empowering Women between the ages of 18 and 35 who are involved in Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Lagos State.

He said: “We intend to train 10,000 Women within the next 24 months, using a combination of online partner-sponsored and physical community learning.

“The Programme will commence with a pilot of 2000 women. The focus for the training will be in the areas of Digital, Agro and Creative Sectors.”

He listed the expected outcome of the programme to include a reduction in the unemployment rate, mindset reorientation, Management Capacity Development, and stakeholder engagement among others.