The Lagos State Government has reaffirmed that it has put in place policies and programmes aimed at making the youths in the State self-reliant.

According to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth and Social Development, Pharm (Mrs.) Toyin Oke-Osanyintolu while declaring open the Entrepreneurship Training programme tagged “Business Amplifier Clinic”, a three-day training for selected young entrepreneurs as part of the activities to mark Y2023 International Youth Day.

Oke-Osanyintolu said, “The Ministry of Youth and Social Development has organised this Young Entrepreneurs Training to build young people’s business skills and capacity. This will encourage young entrepreneurial startups, mentorship and acquisition of skills that will help participants adjust their products, services and processes to support climate change and the related environmental requirement”.

She added: “The THEMES Plus Agenda of the present administration is aimed at ensuring that no one is left behind. Therefore, the Government has invested greatly in the enhancement of soft skills/vocational training programmes as a strong tool in solving the escalating problem of youth unemployment in the State. This training will help to promote the spirit of entrepreneurship and make the youth self-reliant thereby generating employment, reducing poverty, crime, and youth restiveness”.

In his goodwill message, the Chairman, National Youth Council of Nigeria (Lagos State Chapter), Comrade Biliaminu Oba commended the Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development for the initiative which he described as historic being the Ministry saddled with the responsibility of helping the youth maximise their potentials. He urged the youth to be advocates of the message of peace and see Nigeria as their fatherland.

In his remark, Lagos Central Representative, National Youth Parliament, Abdulmumun Edidi charged the youths not to give up but to strive to become job creators by taking advantage of the numerous opportunities made available for the youth by the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund.

Similarly, Managing Partner, PELSE Consulting, Boboye Adeniji Oluwafemi, shedding light on the essence of the Business Amplifier Clinic said that it was to help participants acquire the fundamental knowledge required to take their businesses to the next level by adding more value to society.

The three-day business training programme is expected to expose participants to the basic knowledge of business forecasting, product branding and personal growth development and also has a business pitch contest at the end of the training where the best five winners will receive handsome rewards.

This year’s International Youth Day themed: “Green Skills for Youth: Towards a Sustainable World” is being celebrated by the Ministry with a week-long set of activities and will end on Saturday,12th August, 2023.