The Lagos State Government and Stanbic IBTC are tackling unemployment among youths by training and giving them Point of Sale (PoS) machines, among others. DANIEL ESSIET reports.
To reduce unemployment, Lagos government and Stanbic IBTC have partnered in a multi-million naira initiative to supply free Point-of-Sale (PoS) machnes to youths and create jobs.
At a workshop in Lagos, the Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Mrs. Yetunde Arobieke, said 5,000 youths would be trained on PoS business.
She said Stanbic IBTC would provide the machines, chairs, tables and umbrellas to beneficiaries.
According to her, the government was ready to partner private organisations to make investments in infrastructure that would create good jobs for Lagosians, build stronger communities, and make the economy resilient.
She expressed optimism that the scheme would enhance job creation by enabling target beneficiaries join the network of agents providing financial-related services.
She said the goal of the state government was to lift thousands of youths out of poverty and that the programme was designed to kit/tool unemployed youths and develop their competences to operate as registered mobile money agents for the bank.
She said the government was also discussing with Zenith Bank on a similar scheme to engage more youths to provide PoS services.
Regional Manager, Lagos Mainland, Stanbic IBTC, Arinze Anigbogu said the bank had earmarked 20,000 PoS machines for distribution. Of this amount, he said 5,000 machines would be given to youths in Lagos.
Based on responses, he reassured that the bank would increase the number of beneficiaries in Lagos.
He said there would be a training to enable target beneficiaries to meet the minimum technical and business requirements for becoming mobile money agents and enhance their entrepreneurial competences to successfully start and manage mobile money businesses.
Head of Entrepreneurship, Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment, Mrs Taiwo Abiose, said the government was stepping up efforts to create more jobs for the youth as unemployment rate had become menace.
She said the ministry had provided various interventions, including capacity-building, on enhancing productivity, and markets access among others.
She said the government was ready to harness the job-creation potential of PoS in addressing social problems bedeviling the country.