Pelumi Tijani, an entrepreneur and the founder of Teejan Pelex Fresh Enterprises, has trained over 500 and teachers in secondary schools across Lagos and Ogun States on different vocational skills.
The free training program was conducted separately for students in Tabok High School, Diamond Gate School, Refined City School, Rock of Ages School, and the Light Comprehensive School.
Among the skills that the beneficiaries were trained in include; soap making, aftershave, izal, air freshener, bleach, shampoo, conditioner and hair growth products.
Tijani explained that the purpose of the training was to equip senior secondary school students with the skills that would enable them to become entrepreneurs after leaving secondary school.
Tijani said beyond the training, “this comprehensive program covers everything from brainstorming ideas to launching their product. Beneficiaries were exposed to learn how to create their business plans, market their product, and manage their finances.”
He noted that the reason for engaging senior secondary students was to ensure that beneficiaries are students who are mature, able to comprehend the learning, and “to ensure that all beneficiaries are adults. If I train those who are below the age of 18 and want to start their businesses, it would mean child labour.
“Therefore, the training has been strategically designed for senior school students and their teachers, and it has been quite impactful.”
Speaking to BONews about the inspiration for the initiative, Tijani said he is committed to ensuring that young people in Nigeria have the right skills and are able to generate income legitimately, despite the economic situation of the country.
“The economic situation in Nigeria is a bit bad and there is increased unemployment, which has made it difficult for many households to cater for themselves. However, with this skill acquisition, I am certain that youths can begin to generate revenue for themselves, also because the skills they have learnt are basic household items that people purchase from time to time,” Tijani explained.
He thereafter charged the government and private sector to emulate similar initiatives to equip students with relevant entrepreneurial skills.
