Professor Pat Utomi via his Centre for Values and Leadership, CVL, has presented business start-up kits and grants to 100 young entrepreneurs in Ajegunle area of Lagos State.
The gifts were presented to the graduates of the four-month free computer training for youths organized by the Lagos State government in partnership with an NGO, Orile Iganumu Progressive Association, OIPA.
Speaking at the event, Prof Utomi said the aim of the mentorship programme entitled: ‘Youth Entrepreneurs Training Programme (YETP)’, was to empower young people in business skills and thereby reduce Nigeria’s unemployment by 65 per cent.
He described the one year project funded by Citi Foundation, as an intensive entrepreneurship development programme initiated for community youths in Ajegunle between the ages of 18 to 35 years, to provide them with business support that would enhance the capacity of the community based youths who run small businesses and have intention to own a sustainable business.
The president of OIPA, Mr Bode Medale in his own remark said the need to curb crimes and other social vices orchestrated by youths in the community, made Lagos State government in partnership with his NGO organise the free computer training for the youths to enable them lead a positive life.
“The need to change the stereotype believe that Orile youths are known only to perpetrate crime and other social vices formed the basis for the free computer progamme.
“With the aim that computer education is now a must skill to acquire irrespective of one’s qualification. Again, it is not all parents that can afford to pay a computer institute for his or her ward. That also made us to make the training free as part of our social community development to the community” Mr Bode added.
