JAKIN, a Non-Governmental Organization has in its quest to reduce the burden of unemployment in the country empowered 180 out-of-school youths with various entrepreneurship, vocational and business management skills.
Sponsored by Aspire Coronation Trust Foundation and Access Bank, the training which was held in three months focused on empowering out of school Nigerian youths with basic business management principles and vocational skills including bag making, hair braiding, bead making, Ankara craft and makeup.
Speaking during the graduation ceremony for the 2021/2022 edition of the project that took place at ECWA multipurpose hall, Montgomery road, Yaba, Lagos, the CEO of JAKIN NGO, Mrs Adebiyi Olubukola popularly called ‘Mummy Jakin’ emphasized that entrepreneur and skills development were vital to unlocking the potentials of out-of-school youths, especially those from the informal communities, who have no opportunity like their counterparts in the society.
Emphasizing the importance of vocational and entrepreneurship skill acquisition, Mrs Adebiyi said that school was gradually becoming unprofitable.
“We are getting to the stage where going to school is no longer profitable. In those days you want your children to go to school, but now people are asking what the value of going to school is really. We need to reverse this abnormality because therein lies the foundation of sustainability of any nation,” she said.
She further called on the government at different tiers to formulate policies that will encourage entrepreneurs. She lamented that Nigeria’s policy was frustrating small businesses, adding that Entrepreneurs will do better if the government can create a conducive environment where businesses can thrive.
Also speaking during the graduation event, Oluchi Okoroafor, Monitoring & Evaluation Associate, Aspire Coronation Trust Foundation, ACT, while congratulating the graduating students charged them to utilize the skill they have acquired. She said the skills will easily make them achieve the impossible in life beyond their potential.
She disclosed that ACT Foundation had continued in its partnership with JAKIN NGO because of both organisations’ interest in addressing economic and social challenges.
Expressing gratitude to its sponsors, the NGO boss said ACT foundation has been supporting the project since 2017.
She also charged the graduating students to work hard to be able to give back to the environment where they are coming from.
Counting the successes of previous editions of the project, Mrs Adebiyi disclosed that of the 760 beneficiaries of the Fresh Foundation Project, 66 have secured employment, using FFP certificates; while 106 have started their own businesses.
She added that 96 have gained admission into higher institutions, while 369 now have Access Bank savings accounts.