Reported by: Ijeoma .G | Edited by: Henry Owen
The Lagos State Government has once again reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to youth empowerment, job creation, and skills development through the Eko Skills Development Initiative for Youths, held on Tuesday, 30th September 2025, at Unity Hall, Ifako-Ijaiye, Lagos. The event, themed “Unlocking Potentials for a Greater, Brighter and Rewarding Lagos,” provided a platform to equip young people, particularly those from disadvantaged communities, with entrepreneurial knowledge, vocational skills, and creative abilities essential for thriving in a dynamic economy and contributing meaningfully to the state’s development.
In his address, the Honourable Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Hon. Akinyemi Bankole Ajigbotafe, represented by Permanent Secretary Esv. Wasiu Adebayo Olayinka, described the initiative as a clarion call to harness the energy, creativity, and resilience of Lagos’ youthful population. He emphasized that youths are not merely leaders of tomorrow but innovators and entrepreneurs of today, capable of shaping the Lagos envisioned by the government. The Commissioner highlighted that the program provides training in digital skills, entrepreneurial development, vocational expertise, and creative capacity, equipping participants to compete globally while driving local economic growth.
Delivering the welcome address, Esv. Wasiu Adebayo Olayinka emphasized that the initiative represents a strategic investment in human capital, Lagos State’s most valuable asset. He noted that the program goes beyond conventional training, focusing on innovation, entrepreneurship, and self-reliance. Participants undergo carefully designed modules covering business planning, enterprise development, vocational training, and post-training support, ensuring that acquired skills translate into practical, sustainable economic impact.
Comrade Tijani Oluwadare, highlighting the structure and expected outcomes of the initiative, stressed the need for practical application of skills beyond the classroom. He emphasized connecting trainees to mentorship, financial resources, and market opportunities, ensuring every participant has the chance to establish businesses or compete effectively in the digital, vocational, and creative economies.
The program also featured a highly engaging panel discussion, bringing together government officials, facilitators, private sector partners, and community stakeholders. Panelists explored innovative ways to harness youth potential, discussed practical solutions to employment challenges, and shared insights on building ecosystems that support entrepreneurship and economic participation.
Beneficiaries of the initiative expressed gratitude for the opportunity to develop marketable skills and entrepreneurial competence. Participants acknowledged the government’s efforts to invest in their future, emphasizing that the program provides the tools, knowledge, and confidence required to create self-sustaining businesses and contribute meaningfully to Lagos’ economic development.
The Eko Skills Development Initiative is a flagship strategy of the Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu administration, designed to reduce unemployment, bridge skills gaps, foster entrepreneurship, and build an economy where no youth is left behind. The Lagos State Government urged all participants to leverage the program with discipline, passion, and determination, recognizing that the deliberate steps taken today will shape a brighter and more rewarding future for themselves and the state.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com | ✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com
📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNews
Add comment
Comments