As part of activities to mark the 2017 International Youth Day, Hope for Women in Nigeria Initiative (HOFOWEM), a pet project of wife of the Lagos State Governor, Bolanle Ambode, on Wednesday commenced a two-day entrepreneurial training programme, at its Oregun office for youths aged from 15 to 34 years.
The programme, which thoroughly examined entrepreneurship education, trained more than 80 youths in skills like baking technology, piggery, fish, grasscutter, mushroom, poultry, snail and vegetable farming, to channel the focus of the youths to skill acquisition for sustainable self-employment.
Speaking on this year’s International Youth Day, Mrs. Ambode observed that concerted effort was needed to empower the teeming youths with relevant skills and put them in a position to generate steady income by themselves.
She said that it had become necessary to explore viable ways of generating viable employment for the vibrant and job-hungry youths, aside from 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. And if you are committed and hardworking 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,” Ambode said.
She urged youths to put to good use all they have learnt and be prepared for a better tomorrow, saying it was achievable and doable.
According to her, “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.”
Ambode, who described the programme as a pilot one for the youths, promised that many such skill acquisition training would be organized in future for their benefit.
Addressing guests and beneficiaries at the programme, Chief Executive Officer of the foundation, Ms. Oyefunke Adeleke, noted 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, support for sick youths and aged women, scholarship for brilliant but indigent students in public tertiary institutions, among others.
August 12 every year was set aside by the United Nations as International Youth Day, to examine the welfare of youths around the world and explore ways of improving it.
