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By Henry Uche
The Lagos State Government has pledged financial support, access to markets and other business development opportunities for 203 youths trained in various vocational skills under the sponsorship of SOS Children’s Villages, in a bid to transform their newly acquired competencies into sustainable livelihoods and economic independence.
Speaking yesterday in Lagos, the Director of the Agribusiness Support Unit of the Lagos State Ministry of Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, Osi-Efa Atitebi, while encouraging the newly skilled youths, pledged to communicate what she saw at the Empowering Lagos Youth (EPY) Project Close-Out Ceremony to the ministry for the necessary support.
Representing the Commissioner of the aforementioned ministry, Mrs Folashade Bada Ambrose-Medebem, she maintained that the government’s commitment was expected to bridge the gap between skills acquisition and actual economic empowerment by helping the beneficiaries overcome the challenges of start-up capital, market access and business sustainability.
The empowerment also underscores the importance of strategic partnerships between government and development organisations in tackling youth unemployment, promoting entrepreneurship and building a productive workforce.
“We can always link them to access funds with institutional organisations, we will link them to the market, and make sure they form a cooperative body through which we can always get back to them as a group and guide them to get registered with SON, NAFDAC. So I’m going to present their case to the Commissioner and the Permanent Secretary because they are just good. Next year, during the International Trade Fair at Tafawa Balewa Square, we shall create a booth for them where they will exhibit their products. We are mothers, we need to encourage them,” she assured.
Addressing newsmen at the programme, the National Director of SOS Children’s Villages Nigeria, Eghosa Erhumwunse, explained that the project, which commenced in January 2025, was designed to equip young people from disadvantaged backgrounds with vocational and entrepreneurial skills to enable them to secure sustainable livelihoods.
Erhumwunse described young people as the foundation of Lagos State and Nigeria, noting that the project had helped change perceptions about youths by demonstrating their capacity to become responsible leaders and contributors to society. He expressed appreciation to the Lagos State Government, particularly the ministries involved, as well as development partners and other stakeholders, for supporting the initiative.
The Country Director noted that collaboration between government institutions, organisations and communities remained essential to achieving sustainable development. He commended the synergy between men and women in advancing women’s empowerment, while highlighting the role of the Ministry of Women Affairs in promoting inclusive development.
He urged the government and other stakeholders to ensure that the gains recorded through the project were sustained, adding that effective project management and continued investment in young people were necessary to reduce poverty.
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“You cannot get it wrong when you empower women in the society. This project is more of young women,” he maintained.
Representing the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Youth and Social Development, the Head of Service of the ministry, Mr Tunji Akeusola, said the ceremony was organised to celebrate the achievements of the project and recognise the commitment of its beneficiaries.
He said the initiative addressed critical challenges confronting young people, including unemployment, inadequate vocational skills and limited access to mentorship, through vocational training, entrepreneurship development and psychosocial support.
Akeusola said the Lagos State Government valued its partnerships with organisations such as SOS Children’s Villages, describing the project as an example of effective collaboration between government, non-governmental organisations and communities.
He congratulated the beneficiaries on their commitment and resilience, urging them to build networks, support one another and make productive use of the opportunities provided through the programme.
He added that the ministry remained open to further partnerships and initiatives aimed at improving the welfare and economic prospects of young people in the state.
Joseph Sewanu (graphic design participant) and Blessing Nyanga (fashion design participant) expressed appreciation and confidence that they would maximise the knowledge acquired to help themselves and Nigeria at large.
“I am happy and I can be financially independent with this skill and help others,” Sewanu affirmed.
“Because this gesture came to me at no cost, I am going to train five young people in fashion and design at no cost. I’ll make impact through my craft,” Nyanga pledged.
