The Director General of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Johnson Olawumi has said that over 500,000 members of the scheme have been trained under the Skill Acquisition Entrepreneurship Development programme since its inception in 2012.
Gen Olawumi stated this at a three-day Graduate Entrepreneurship Fund Capacity Building programme held at the NYSC Orientation permanent site in Umunna, Bende Local Government Area of Abia State.
The DG, who was represented by the coordinator of the scheme in the state Mr Omotayo Adewoye, said that the intention of the Graduate Entrepreneurship Fund is in line with the overall mandate of NYSC Skill Acquisition Entrepreneurship Development programme.
He said that the programme is centred on equipping corps members with the basic entrepreneurship skill to make them self reliant and employers of labour at the end of their service year instead of job seekers.
General Olawumi said that the scheme would continue to improve on training, supervision and mentoring of corps members in order to reduce the penchant and clamour for non-existing white collar jobs.
In a speech, the Managing Director, Bank of Industry, Mr Raheed Olaoluwa represented by Mr Afolani Adegoke, explained that at the end of the training, participants would be required to submit their loan applications to the bank along with business plans.
Olaoluwa noted that the loan to each beneficiary would be a maximum of N2m which would be administered at a single digit interest of nine per cent.
In his welcome address, the Assistant Director, Skill Acquisition Entrepreneurship Development of the NYSC Mrs Njide Moughalu explained that the programme was geared towards assisting Corps members in acquiring skills necessary for successful entrepreneurship.
Business and professional women from different parts of Nigeria came together recently in Lagos to examine the challenges, prospects and how to make use of soft skills competencies to make a difference. Yetunde Oladeinde was there and she reports.
Over the years, women from different spheres of life have sought for ways to empower themselves, their communities, families as well as looked for ways to hone their leadership skills. In the process, a number of brilliant and dynamic women are changing the space with brilliant ideas and carving a niche for themselves.
Some female pace setters came together at the national conference and annual general meeting of the Business and Professional Women (BPW) which took place at the MUSON Centre in Lagos. The event, which was chaired by Sir Festus Oluremi Omotoso and Samuel Obafemi, the keynote speaker, x-rayed the challenges for women in the 21st century and how women can make the best in spite of the odds.
According to Angela Ajala, BPW national president, the theme, “Developing 21st century competencies for making a difference”, was carefully chosen to reflect the current dynamics and competencies that are essential in the work place and in the business world. “Success is no longer what you pursue: it is what you attract by the attractive person you become. For things to change for you, you have to change. The best investment you can give yourself is investing in your personal and professional development.”
Ajala continued: “We contribute to the society by assisting women to overcome their limitations, protect their rights, and create a nurturing environment in work, education, health and empowerment for women development. The conference is an opportunity to connect with a community of business and professional women through unmatched networking opportunities.”
Life, Ajala stressed, does not get better by chance, it gets better by change. “That is why our annual conference is always packed with new knowledge, information, competencies, skills that empower and develop women to move to the next level and be current wherever they find themselves. Continuous learning is key to unlimited success; you must take on the responsibility for your own education. Too many people are attracted to their distractions, don’t wish it was easier, wish you were better, don’t wish for less problems, wish for more skills, how else will you sharpen yourself.”
To get the best out of life, women, she stated, should not think about short cuts or cut corners. “There is no such thing as overnight success: we achieve success through consistency and discipline. The best education you can give yourself is self education. Formal education would get you a job but self education gives you an income. Your income is determined by your philosophy not the economy. In addition, a positive attitude is important. Negative attitude is part of life but don’t dwell in it, learn to handle it. You also need to be meticulous about your goals and deliberate in setting your goals is to compel you to become the person it takes to achieve them.”
Ajala added that “It is not where you find yourself that matters, but where you see yourself. Where you see yourself today is where you find yourself tomorrow. If you can’t see yourself in your tomorrow, you won’t be able to escape today. Vision gives you the capacity to escape. The best form of service is service to human satisfaction without thinking of gain. Your service must be of impact to humanity anywhere you find yourself, give it the best, don’t think money all the time because impact is superior to income and impact will eventually bring income. Be ready for opportunities, prepare yourself, and even if opportunities don’t happen, you generate them. Those who succeed in life don’t wait for things to happen, they make things happen.”
On her part, Adenike Adeyanju Osadolor, BPW African regional coordinator, it is important for women to develop and keep rediscovering themselves on a continuous basis. “The theme of the conference, developing 21st century competencies for making a difference, reminds of the need to prepare ourselves for the challenges that come with the 21st century, to keep ourselves updated and informed of new developments around us grabbing the available opportunities to update our skills so as to meet these challenges.”
Osadolor declared that “We have therefore lined up topics and resource persons who will be sharing with us from their wealth of experience. I enjoin all of us to open our minds not just to receive from them but also to go back and make a difference by putting to use what we have learnt.”
Some women achievers and members who have proved their mettle were also recognised with awards of excellence at the event. Mary Adeola Babalola whose focus is on entrepreneurship and management was one of those honoured. “My focus is on fashion and clothes manufacturing for export. I am currently working on a project that will produce conventional clothing to the United States of America under AGOA (African Growth and Opportunity Act). The US State Department sponsored me for internship training programme on AGOA in 2002. I had previously benefitted from Netherlands-sponsored internship programme to attend a management course specially designed for female executives of businesses in developing countries in Africa and Asia.”
Justina Obehi Ogbeh, a pharmacist and wife of the current Minister of Agriculture, also got an award of excellence. “We have five lovely children and six fine boys as our grandsons. Right now, we live in Abuja where I run my community pharmacy. I am also an entrepreneur. I joined BPW at the inception in Abuja where I became the second club president for Garki club in 2002.”
Also recognised for dedication, hard work and excellence was Modupe Onabanjo Obazee, a stained glass artist and actress in the Village Headmaster cast, Mo Abudu, Adanna Ifeoma Enwezor, Alaba Alozie, Winifred Ezekiel, Chioma Onoshakpor, Adedoyin Erinle and Princess Adetope Adebola Kosoko.
The Federation of Business and Professional Women Nigeria started in 1961, and is a member of the International Federation of Business and Professional Women (BPW) which was founded in 1930. It is one of the most influential international networks of business and professional women with affiliates in eighty countries on five continents.
The main aim of BPW is to develop the professional and leadership potential of women at all levels.
The National Power Training Institute of Nigeria (NAPTIN), has partnered TE Connectivity, to improve the skills of workers in the sector.
TE Connectivity prided itself as a global leader in connectivity, with expertise in fusing solutions together in order to bring about the desired growth in an organisation.
NAPTIN, in a statement signed by its Director-General, Reuben Okeke, said, the sector has experienced setbacks due to problems such as inadequate infrastructure and poor output of energy efficiency, adding that the development informed the decision of NAPTIN to partner with TE Connectivity, in order to develop solutions that would help in improving the skills of workers in the power sector.
He said: “The sector needs skilled technicians, and this partnership with TE is meant to help achieve sufficiency in power supply, which is one of the steps taken to encourage industrialisation and further improve the economy.
“This is very important at this time, as the sector needs to develop its talent base to improve electricity supply in Nigeria.’’
Immediate past governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Fashola (SAN), has appealed to government to build an economy that thrives on productivity, based on skill and entrepreneurial ability of youths. He insists that the status of those who get their hands dirty to eke a living must be elevated.
Fashola made this call at the second annual graduation of Skillup TVET Limited.
Skillup TVET Limited is a technical skill competency development initiative. It is an offshoot of a construction outfit.
Fashola spoke on: ‘Beyond skills training: Innovation for economic inclusion and sustainable development.’
The ceremony was combined with the launch of SkillUp Innovation and Incubation Centre (SIIC) which will help provide funds for scholarships for prospective students who cannot afford it.
Fashola, who was represented by Mrs Olusola Oworu, the state Commissioner of Commerce and Industry under the former governor’s administration, advised the graduands to be masters in their chosen fields
Fashola described their skills as productive rather than menial.
“Be the new master bakers, master mechanics, master plumbers, master tailors that represent the new Nigeria…,” he said.
“Indeed the world is not menial, it is productive. It is the sum total of our wealth and national gross domestic product (GDP) and also the defining line in our national balance sheet,” Fashola added.
The former governor challenged the graduands to rise above inferiority complex, saying those who produce nothing cannot lay claim to contributing to nation building.
In his speech, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the academy Mr Afolabi Imoukhuede, said he is happy that what started so small has grown to the extent of being acknowledged by the City and Guilds of London, a professional entrepreneurship certification .
He said the academy had been given the permission to use their curriculum and partake in their examination.
Imoukhuede recalled how he was inspired to start the academy, owing to none or less capable and competent artisans to handle the firm’s menial jobs while constructing.
He said: “Construction companies had to rely on expatriates to do their menial jobs for them. In this case, there were lots of vacancies but less competent and capable hands to fill them”
Imoukhuede lamented the financial constraint of the academy, adding that it is only graduating 100 when it has the capacity to train over 1000 students at a time.
He said: “We need more funding so that we can support and train more people. Today only 113 students are graduating when we have capacity to train 1000 students, but the funding is not there to take this capacity.”
Renowned speaker, Adebola Wiliams, advised the graduands to chase success and never relent on being the best and master in whatever paths they have chosen to earn a living
Executive Director Lagos State Technical and Vocational Education Board (LASTVEB), Olawunmi Gasper, condemned the society for looking down on artisans. He cautioned against calling them failures when they cannot do any of the things artisans do to help humanity and save the society.
Gasper said: “It is only in this country that we respect those who wear tie and look down on others. Nobody can take each other’s relevance. Artisans have to be given a chance. Also, parents and the society are at fault, as they have negative perception about those who do menial jobs and label them failures. But you cannot fix my car or plumbing, only they can.”
The best graduating student and youngest graduand in the 2015 class, Eric Ogbugo, advised other youths to concentrate on their studies.
The 16-year-old Rivers State trainee, who majored in Metal Machine, said aside taking the programme seriously, he had passion for the profession.
There was excitement among the inhabitants of the ancient city of Badagry as they came out in droves to receive training in various skills. The Prime Women Builders Foundation of Nigeria (PWOBFON) had visited the town with its empowerment programme.
At the event entitled, “An Enterprising Heart,” over 2,000 people, mostly women were trained in vocational and skill acquisition schemes.
Apparently eager to break loose from the shackles of poverty, house wives;
pregnant women; nursing mothers; school leavers and unemployed youths participated in the PWOBFON’s 2015 empowerment day.
The early morning downpour did not deter the beneficiaries as they trooped to the local government council headquarters, Ajala, Badagry from different locations as early as 7:00 a.m., to be part of the one-day event which began with seminars in which the participants were taken through various vocational trainings.
Focal points of the first segment were training on tailoring; soap making; wireworks; cake baking/icing; ankara designing; barbeque; household items; popcorn production; headgear knotting; bleach making; air freshener production and computer training, among others.
The participants later came together for the second session of the programme which involved lectures and presentations by representatives of the participating companies who also educated the trainees on how to start their own businesses as agents and distributors of different products.
This was followed by lectures by business management experts who took the participants on entrepreneurial spirit.
Some of the major players in the manufacturing sector that participated in the event commended the organisers for their vision and commitment to poverty reduction and women empowerment. They also pledged their willingness to partner PWOBFON in its resolve to alleviate poverty among the people.
For instance, Lucky Fibres Plc, makers of Nobel rugs and carpets, praised the foundation for its vision, promising to do business with the women. It equally assured the participants that with N25, 000, they could do business with the company from their homes.
Other organisations that participated in this year’s empowerment day were Honeywell Flour Mill Plc; May &Baker’s Lily Water; Ozone Hair Relaxer; Klin Soap; Nipen Bic and Rite Foods, among others.
Over the years, PWOBFON had been rotating its annual empowerment day to different areas of Lagos State. Councils such as Ikeja, Alimosho, Ikorodu and Badagry had benefitted from previous programmes of the foundation.
•Mrs. Olofinkua addressing the participants
The National President of PWOBFON, Mrs. Kemi Olofinkua expressed the intention of the foundation to extend the empowerment programme to other states of the federation.
Fielding questions from journalists on the sideline of the event, Olofinkua called for concerted efforts towards poverty reduction in the society, warning that the current poverty situation in Nigeria portends grave danger to the country.
She argued that collaboration among government, individuals and organisations was necessary in reducing the rising poverty level in the society, stressing that some men have also benefitted from the foundation’s scheme.
“In the past years, we have seen men coming to our empowerment programmes; we don’t want to be seen as gender-partial. So, we decided to go on with the computer hardware training. It has been good because people are giving testimonies about this programme,” she said.
Obviously elated by the success of the event, Mrs. Olofinkua commended the beneficiaries for their zeal and determination to creep out of the poverty ditch by embracing the training in their thousands.
She said: “Today’s event is quite different from what we have been having in the past. It is quite different because for the first time, we saw great zeal among the participants. We ended the vocational training and started the second part which is the corporate session, yet the people refused to leave the vocational training.
“And for the first time, I saw some children being desirous to do things by themselves. We witnessed a little child exhibiting creativity and the ability to do beadwork, I was impressed and I have promised them that we will come back to this local government to encourage them to realise that they can no longer rely on white collar jobs for their financial future.
“Younger children that are less that 15 years old indicated interest in learning so many crafts such as bead making, shawama and other skills.
It really elated my heart. The turnout was great; people came all the way from Ikorodu and other locations to participate in the programme. People really need this empowerment.
“They need to be talked to, they need to be trained. We have done it in different local governments and each time we go out, we see people trooping out to be part of the programme.
“For example, people gathered here before the scheduled time thereby demonstrating their willingness to learn how to break away from poverty which is holding them down.
The PWOBFON’s boss said the foundation has been sponsoring the annual empowerment project solely despite the huge financial implications, stressing that she is being driven by the passion to see women empowered. She urged the various tiers of government to take poverty alleviation seriously for the good of the society. Mrs. Olofinkua said she was satisfied in what she is doing for the good of the society notwithstanding the financial constraint.
“Only God has been sustaining this empowerment programme. With the exception of this year, for the past seven years, I have been writing the governments each year concerning this programme but there hasn’t been any positive response. But we are not bothered about this.
“Government should realise that people actually need this empowerment. We have been using our money to fund this project but we are not tired. This is an annual programme and I am already thinking about the next year’s event.
“We have gotten an invitation to do vocational training in secondary school for the students. So, we are already thinking about how to catch these children young. Also, we are targeting the professionals who have indicated interest in this training. The vision is expanding and we are happy doing what we are doing.”
One of the resource persons, Mr. Lanre Da-silva, praised the foundation and commended Mrs. Olofinkua for her determination to pull many people out of the poverty line.
Da-silver said: “Each time I come, I sincerely wonder how she gets the crowd because the people keep coming. I have been with her to Ikeja Local Government Area; I have been with her to Alimosho Local Government Area and Ikorodu Local Government Area and now in Badagry and the people keep coming. That tells me that many people in the society need empowerment. It is an indication that so many people live below the poverty line and all they need to come up and get a regular income is just to tell them the right things to do.
“Many women and young people keep coming to this event, so I am not surprised. She (Mrs. Olofinkua) is passionate with what she is doing and I wish that the corporate organisations should partner this woman in what she is doing as part of their own corporate social responsibilities where they can add value to the lives of these women in a small way.”
One of the PWOBFON advisers, Rev. Emmanuel Olofinkua praised God for sustaining the programme since its inception seven years ago. According to him, the event was the expression of the desires and vision which God has laid in the heart of the organisers towards the people.
“It is a thing of joy. But it is highly taxing because the work that we are doing is not something that we are paid by somebody or a venture that we are paid back. Again, many of the people that we used for this programme are volunteers; we thank God for those that He has used to make this vocational training a huge success,” he said.
He called for concerted efforts to tackle unemployment in the country, saying: “Unemployment is increasing on an alarming rate. You have many graduates roaming the streets without job. Those that are able to get jobs are on contract appointments; they are not sure of permanent appointments, no hope for the future. “It wasn’t like that before and it calls for caution. I wonder how far the government’s poverty alleviation has impacted on the masses. But I can say that it has not really achieved anything. But with what we have done here today, I can testify that for over the years, some of the people that have come in contact with this programme are now doing fine.
“Some of them are now successful bead makers, others are soap makers and they no longer depend on anybody to make ends meet. So, this is something I think that our government should look into.”
Some of the beneficiaries also testified that the programme has been a tremendous blessing to them. Mrs. Ekwuagana Oluchi Rosalyn told journalists that her life has been transformed since she came in contact with the foundation. She, therefore, advised other women to embrace the empowerment programme for their financial freedom.
“I have been following them every year and for me to come all the way from Iyana-Ipaja is an indication that I love what they are doing.
“My advice goes to women who call themselves housewives. There is nothing like housewives again because one can do things even in her one room apartment. It can be soap making, hand-washing soap or other things. She will sell whatever she produces because Lagos is the cheapest place to live in Nigeria,”she said.
The Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta’s (FUNAAB’s) Centre for Entrepreneurial Studies (CENTS) has commenced the vocational entrepreneurial skills acquisition programme for the year.
According to the Director of CENTS, Prof Adewale Dipeolu, the programme would last for nine weeks and cover soft skills areas such as business plan development, business registration, funding, product patenting and hard skills in areas which participants have chosen for themselves.
Dipeolu said at the end of the programme, participants were expected to create their own micro, small and medium scale enterprises over time and in the process, create jobs and grow the economy.
The Coordinator of the programme Dr. Funmilayo Braide, said as part of the training, participants would be tutored by skill leaders from various fields, such as graphics, catering, aquaculture, bead-making, interior decoration, textile design, photography and automation fabrication.
She added that the centre aims include creating and promoting entrepreneurial awareness and opportunities, imparting entrepreneurial skills on staff and students of the university.
Educare Trust Youth Centre, Samonda, Ibadan, Oyo State capital has trained 35 school pupils on different skills to mark this year’s convention on the rights of the child.
The programme, tagged “2015 Holischool” began on August 5 and ended on September 12.
The Coordinator of the programme, Mr Moshood Folorunsho described the training as the best way to keep the children off the street during the holiday.
He also described the trainees as ‘excellent’, adding that students have been groomed and given education that is sustainable and attractive.
According to him, the children have learnt how to make tie, bags, shoes, beads, soaps, lamp holders and games, among others.
In addition, there was a leadership workshop for participants who also displayed their wares before their parents and teachers after the exercise.
“They have been trained on how to be computer literate, how to operate a camera and video camera. No fewer than 45 students applied for this programme but 35 were accommodated due to one challenge or the other. This is more or less like a summer school to keep student busy during their holiday,ý” he said.
ýFolorunsho advised the participants to practise the skills they learnt, even as he urged them to take their education seriously.
Educare Trust Youth Centre, Samonda, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, has trained 35 school pupils on various skills to mark the 2015 convention on the rights of the child.
The programme tagged: ‘2015 Holischool’, began on August 5, and ended on September 12.
Its Co-ordinator, Mr Moshood Folorunsho, described the training as the best way to keep children off the streets during the holiday.
He portrayed the trainees as ‘excellent’, adding that students had been groomed and given learning that is sustainable and attractive.
According to him, they have learnt how to make tie, bags, shoes, beads, soaps, lamp holders, games, among others.
In addition, there was a leadership workshop for participants. Participants also showcased their wares after the exercise before their parents and teachers.
“Also, they have been trained to be computer literate, to operate a camera and video camera. No fewer than 45 students applied for this programme, but 35 were accommodated due to one challenge or the other. This is more or less like a summer school to keep students busy during their holiday,” he said.
Folorunsho advised the participants to practise the skills they learnt during the training, while also urging them to take their education seriously.
Secretaries and administrators at FUNAAB have enhanced their knowledge of e-documents thanks to a workshop organised by the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), Ogun State Chapter.
The 5th Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Executive Workshop was themed, “Advanced e-Document Management Techniques”
Chairperson of NCS, Dr. Bukola Onashoga, said the workshop was held in FUNAAB, to enable the university appreciate better the benefits of Information Technology.
She noted that attending the workshop would improve the job performance of the participants.
Topics of lectures delivered included: “Maintenance and Installation Techniques”, Mr Akintunde Olubiyi of the Department of Computer Science; “Internet Technologies”, Mr. Sodiq Onaolapo of the Centre for Innovation and Strategy in Learning and Teaching (CISLT); and “Preparation of Presentation Slides” by Mr Sanni Waheed of the Information and Communications Technology Resources Centre (ICTREC)
Mr. Niyi Orisakiya of ICTREC also spoke on “Tips for Mobile Phone/Devices Usage for Effective Administration;” while Mr. Tunde Tijani of NCS, spoke on “Advanced e-Document Processing Technique.”
Dr. Onashoga’s spoke on, “Research Design and Methodology.”
Veterans and young media professionals, last Thursday, converged on the University of Lagos (UNILAG) for this year’s edition of Communicators for Christ Fellowship (CFC) academic summit. The event, which was held in the main auditorium, had the theme: The digital age media: A marriage of skills opportunities and technology.
It featured panel of discussion on pressing media issues, drama, award presentation and exhibition.
CFC President, Ayomide Ekerin, said the event was aimed at keeping students abreast of development in the media. He said the summit would enable participants to learn the workings of the digital media.
The keynote speaker, Mr Kola Oyeyemi, who spoke on the theme, said there had been gradual shift from traditional media to digital media, saying media convergence was growing with the development of social media.
He said: “Eighty-five per cent of communication done globally is done via mobile phones. By 2020, the major means of communication will be mobile devices. The platforms are changing every day. Students must begin to think out of the box and break new grounds. You must possess the requisite skills to tap into the available opportunities in the digital media age.”
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof Rahmon Bello, represented by the Dean, Students’ Affairs, Prof Tunde Babawale, commended the students for organising the summit, noting that it would help students to acquire modern skills of communication.
The Head of Mass Communication Department, Dr Abigail Ogwezzy-Ndisika, said the department understood the dynamism of the media world, which was why it initiated programmes to help students acquire skills they would not learn in classroom.
The panel of discussion, which was moderated by Fola Afolayan of 99.3 Nigeria Info, had Mrs Olabisi Deji-Folutile, Saturday Punch Editor, Chude Jideonwo, Chief Executive Officer of Red Media Africa and Mr Yomi Badejo of CMC Connect.
Others are Managing Director of Noah’s Ark Communications, Lanre Adisa and Deputy Director Programmes at Television Continental, Mrs. Morayo Afolabi-Brown.
The fellowship presented distinguished personality award to some of the facilitators. Participants were also presented certificates of attendance.
A participant, Kafilah Jimoh, 100-Level Mass Communication, said she the summit afforded her to learn new techniques in digital photography session.
