By Funke Cole
As parts of efforts to make the teeming youth population of Lagos to be wealth creators and business managers, the Lagos State Government has set machinery in motion to equip over 100,000 residents with the necessary skill sets to enter the workforce and fill job positions created by innovations from the economy.
At the launch of the ‘Empower Lagos Programme’ recently, Deputy Chief of Staff to Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Sam Egube said that the government is at the verge of establishing a database aimed at enhancing employment opportunities and assisting artisans in embracing new technologies, thereby enabling them to seize global business prospects.
To achieve this noble objective, Egube disclosed that an online platform designed to connect artisans with clients, aimed at enhancing business opportunities within the sector, would be launched shortly. This online portal, he explained, would function as a marketplace for artisans, enabling consumers to easily access the services they require, while simultaneously fostering the growth and development of commerce throughout the value chain.
Expatiating, Egube said in the state government desire to address the issue of youth unemployment, it is prepared to collaborate with industry partners to develop more effective training programs and to identify the skills that workers require.
Also at the occasion, the state Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Hon. Akinyemi Ajigbotafe announced that the Lagos Leather Hub, located near the Mushin Leather Market in Matori, Mushin, Lagos, is set to be inaugurated next month.
The hub, according to him, would help artisans to be able to explore the market’s potential, enhance skills development and provide the necessary equipment and infrastructure for them to carry out their businesses.
He further explained that the Ministry had planned to establish more industrial hubs, which will create a congregation of related enterprises in an identified location for enhanced productivity, wealth creation and business development through provision of access to business accommodation, workshops, standard equipment and infrastructural facilities at affordable costs.
The commissioner stated that the Empower Lagos Initiative is designed to generate sustainable wealth for at least 10, 000 beneficiaries across various industries. The initiative, according to him, includes provisions for each beneficiary to train a minimum of 10 individuals, which will lead to a multiplier effect impacting over 100, 000 residents of Lagos State within a span of 36 months.
The approach, he added, aims to bridge skills gaps and promote economic growth. Specifically on the employability skills programme, the Commissioner stated that a minimum of 3,000 first-degree graduates will receive free training.
The programme, he pointed out, would address vital topics such as career options, entrepreneurship, professionalism, communication skills, teamwork, as well as problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
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.
The commissioner said: “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, there are 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 the “’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.
Under 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.
