Youth empowerment in Nigeria of today is a necessity seeing into the brighter younger generation of tomorrow, as the progressive national youth wing of the all progressives Congress unveils an enterprise skills development training programme for young business owners in Lagos.
The Event was unveiled by The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Alhaji Abdullahi Ganduje represented by the Deputy National Chairman South of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Chief Emma Eneukwu on Monday in Lagos.
Beadysword Blog reports the five-day training programme which was organized by the Progressives National Youth Wing and the Office of the APC National Youth Leader, Mr Dayo Israel in Lagos is just a taking off point as the program tend to go round the 36 state of the federation because is national project not an Apc project says Dayo .
The APC Deputy National Chairman (South), Mr Emma Eneukwu representing Ganduje, said that the programme was to create a platform for learning, engagement, network and empowerment and positioning for youths ,to become productive.
He commended the national youth leader’s passion about Nigeria’s young population, saying he had always been concerned by the challenges facing the youths.
Emphasizing the importance of skills acquisition, Ganduje lamented that the Nigerian school curriculum was mostly on theories and not based on practical’s, to make graduates self-reliant. He cautioned Nigerians to do away with English and embrace skills.
“Look at countries like China and India, which have an explosion of youth population, the school curriculum incorporates skills development not English development and the children grow with them.
“Please, let us make Nigeria great by being productive . The government can not give us all jobs, there is no job to give, learn to great your own job, because your respect, regards comes from what you can do, not how eloquent you are.
“Let us be the people that will give jobs to others. All of us need to assist the President to change the face of this country and we will do it by learning a skill.”
The youth leader Mr Dayo Israel ,said that the party believed in the power of entrepreneurship as a tool to tackle unemployment and fight poverty.
According to him, entrepreneurship is a dynamic force in the global economy, driving innovation, creating solutions, and shaping the future of Nigeria.
He noted that Africa’s biggest challenges remained poverty, inequality and lack of access to education and unemployment.
Israel said that the number one duty of the government is to improve the life and well-being of the people.
“That is why we have come together to put this progressive enterprise skills development training programme to build the capacity of the next generation of entrepreneurs, business owners and to strengthen their capabilities. “he said.
He said after studying the youth wing of various ruling political parties in India, Ghana, Morocco, UK, Switzerland and others, he had learnt that political parties were beyond just election vehicles.
“They are instruments for social liberation, empowerment and capacity building for the youth of their country, that is what is driving us at the National Youth Wing of APC in our four years strategic plan.
“We are taking up on programmes, skills and activities that we can do to impact the lives of young people in our nation.
“There is no employment that can absorb all of the unemployed in our society, we need people to create jobs, and that is why we are launching the EDET programme.
“The Enterprise -Skills Development Training (EDET) training programme is to turn our young people from job seekers to job creators. It is to turn dreams into reality.
“We are giving them the right skills to be able to empower them on business management skills, entrepreneurship skills, soft skills and teach them how to raise funds for themselves, we have SMIDAM, CAC, Bank of Industries and many others to connect with young entrepreneurs and start-ups in areas of funding. ” Israel said.
The program, which started with online registration, saw about 2000 young entrepreneurs registered for the EDET training programme. Party plans to train no fewer than 20,000 before the end of the year nationwide.
He said participants would have the opportunity of meeting with experts. business owners, gurus, who would take them through the various aspects of running a business.
There would be a peace competition after the five- day training programme ,at which start-ups with good business proposals could win up to N1 million.
Speaking, the Lagos State APC Chairman, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, expressed worry about the high number of youths roaming the streets, saying “This kind of training is the way to go and we must hold the youths very dearly
Other speakers for the opening program are Babatunde Ogala Consultant to the Lagos State House of Assembly and Conference of speakers.
Hon. Tolu Bankole, National Leader, Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) APC
The Registrar-General of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Mr Hussaini Magaji (SAN), who commended APC’s youth wing for the idea, said the commission was also empowering young people and their businesses.
Magaji, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr Sadiq Mohammed, urged participants to make the best use of the opportunity, assuring them of the commission’s support to get their businesses registered.
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