Professor Pat Utomi via his Centre for Values and
Leadership, CVL, has presented business start-up kits and grants to 100 young
entrepreneurs in Orile and Ajegunle areas of Lagos State.
The
gifts were presented to the graduates of the four-month free computer training
for youths organized by the Lagos State government in partnership with an NGO,
Orile Iganmu Progressive Association, OIPA.
Speaking
at the event, Prof Utomi said the aim of the mentorship programme entitled:
‘Youth Entrepreneurs Training Programme (YETP)’, was to empower young people in
business skills and thereby reduce Nigeria’s unemployment by 65 per cent.
He
described the one year project funded by Citi Foundation, as an intensive
entrepreneurship development program initiated for community youths in
Ajegunle between the ages of 18 to 35 years, to provide them with business
support that would enhance the capacity of the community based youths who run
small businesses and have intention to own a sustainable business.
The
president of OIPA, Mr Bode Medale in his own remark said the need to curb
crimes and other social vices orchestrated by youths in the community, made
Lagos State government in partnership with his NGO organise the free computer
training for the youths to enable them lead a positive life.
“The
need to change the stereotype believe that Orile youths are known only to
perpetrate crime and other social vices formed the basis for the free computer
program.
“With
the aim that computer education is now a must skill to acquire irrespective of
one’s qualification. Again, it is not all parents that can afford to pay a
computer institute for his or her ward. That also made us to make the training
free as part of our social community development to the community” Mr Bode
added.
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