By Funke Cole
In its quest to secure the future and boost the earning capacity of the teeming youth population in Lagos State, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has come up with a novel idea which has the potential to transform the fortunes of the youths.
The initiative tagged, ‘Empower Lagos’ is part of economic efforts to curb youth unemployment and empower artisans, indicated that residents have the chance to learn technical and vocational skills that open the door to employment and entrepreneurial opportunities.
At the flag off, the State’s Commissioner, Ministry of Wealth Creation and Empowerment, Akinyemi Ajigbotafe stated that Lagos State faces challenges with huge population despite, a Gross Domestic Product(GDP) growth rate of 4.13 per cent .
He said that, with a youth population of 60 per cent and an unemployment rate of 37.14 per cent, many residents, particularly the young, find themselves unemployed due to lack of enough opportunities and skill gaps.
He said that, however, there is need for a comprehensive solution focused on skill development, job/wealth creation and community engagement to mitigate the issues of unemployment
He reiterated that, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, approved the launch of the “Empower Lagos Programme” in fulfilment of the THEMES+ Agenda, to ensure gender equality, youth empowerment and social inclusion for all Lagos State residents.
He further said that, ‘Empower Lagos’ initiative is targeted at three categories of people- the post NYSC (graduates), artisans and Small businesses in the state.
The Commissioner said that “the project would help to stimulate innovations and job Creation as well as provide the skills necessary to succeed in today’s competitive world irrespective of their profession”.
The Commissioner said that the ‘Empower Lagos’ project will go a long way both for training and in provision of equipment grants to a minimum of 5,000 artisans and tradesmen as support aid from the Ministry.
Ajigbotafe stated that, the Ministry will be supporting a minimum of 3,000 small-scale business owners with entrepreneurship training and start-up capital to foster innovation, self-reliance, and economic diversification.
He disclosed that, due to the challenges that youth face in blighted communities, the ministry is offering special empowerment training programmes and seed funding to help them build sustainable lives.
In addition, he said that, we have POS machines and start up seed support programme to provide a minimum of 1,425 youth with Point of sale machines and start- up seed funding to enable them establish micro-enterprises.
He further stated that, ‘Empower Lagos’ will also feature job fair to twice a year where job seekers can interface with their employers after completing our Employability skills development programme.
The Commissioner used the forum to invite stakeholders in the private sector to collaborate with State government through the Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment to create supportive network system to fulfil the journey for A Greater Lagos.
In his remark, Director General/CEO, National Information Technology Development Agency, Kashifu Abdulahi, who was represented by the Director, Corporate unit, National Information Technology Development Agency, Aristole Onumo, commended the efforts of the State Government for her commitment towards empowerment programmes for all strata of people in the State.
He averred that at the end of ‘Empower Lagos’ Initiative at least over a 100,000 Lagosians would have actualised their dreams of becoming self employed.
Speaking with a cross section of the youth demography in some parts of Lagos metropolis and environs, they lauded the state government for the initiative, stressing that it would go a long way in securing the future of the youths who are the direct beneficiaries of the scheme.
Wole Ogundeji, a resident in Ogudu, Lagos said the initiative is indeed a welcome development, just Fasilat Aderogba described it as timely.
“This initiative is one that has a lot of promises for job creation and can achieve its desired aims and objectives if all the parties involved play their parts well,” echoed Rev. Noah Ayoola, a pastor in one of the MFM branches along Iyana-Iba LASU road.
Under Governor Sanwo-Olu, Lagosians have benefitted from numerous programmes and people-friendly initiatives such as ‘Empower Lagos’ in his quest to better the lots of the citizenry in the past five years.