JAKIN Initiative International, a renowned NGO based in Lagos state has successfully trained 200 out of school youths on different Entrepreneurship and Life building/management skills under a platform it named the ‘Fresh Foundation Project’.
The project sponsored by Aspire Coronation Trust Foundation and Access bank ended with a graduation ceremony which took place at ECWA multipurpose hall, Montgomery road, Yaba, Lagos.
The CEO of JAKIN NGO, Mrs. Adebiyi Bukky popularly called ‘Mummy Jakin’ urged Nigerians, Philanthropist and Organization to support the program as plans for the year 2020 had already begun.
She also disclosed plans by the NGO to expand the training by adding more vocational courses to the four available vocations available.
“This program is for a quarter every three months that means in a year we have the capacity to run four. So right now we are seeking for sponsors so that they can help us for year 2020 and also we are planning to expand the vocational skill arm.
“Currently we are doing the four skills I mentioned but we want to add braiding and cobbling to it. We are working to introduce cobbling and we want to introduce coding to the ICT components,” she said.
Also speaking at the graduation ceremony was the wife of Commissioner of Economic planning and Budget in Lagos state, Mrs Edith Egube who encouraged the graduands to join hands together to create a world that they all dream of.
“As I stand here all I see is young people who have been empowered with super power ability to make an impact in our communities, our societies and our world at large.
“And you may want to ask me how; my answer will simply be TEAM which mean Together Everyone Achieves much. You must be willing therefore to look beyond yourself to join hands together to create a world that all of us dream of”, she said.
At the ceremony, 16 graduands were recognized for their outstanding performance and attitude during the cause of the three months training.
Head of the Board of Director Jakins NGO, Mr. Seyi Wright while speaking at the event promised the 16 awardees a lunch out with the Jakin NGO team and a trip to the Airport, he further went on to give two outstanding graduands a chance to Intern with his organization for one month, to help them have a feel of what the corporate world looks like.
The training which lasted for three months was targeted at training out of school youths living in low income areas and slums in Lagos on different entrepreneurship skills which included Bag making, Ankara craft, ICT, Bead making and Makeover.
Communities privileged to benefit from this year’s training include Ajegunle/Ijora, Makoko/Iwaya, Oto/Otumara, Bariga/Ilaje and Mushin.
Also speaking to Newsmen was the overall best student Emmanuel Ekpo who recently graduated from high school. Ekpo disclosed his intention to further his Education at the university of Lagos while using the skills he learnt at the Fresh foundation project to support his academics.
“After Jakin my next plan is preparing to go back to the higher institution. And I’ll love to go to the University of Lagos where I will use the skills I have learnt at Jakins to support my schooling”.
Guest Speaker at the event was Mrs Funmi Glover and other dignitaries present were; Chairman Yaba Local Government, Director Child Development, Lagos state Ministry of Youth, sport and social Development Mr. Bashiru Iyapo.
Others were; Tutor General District 4, Mainland LG PTA, Religious and community leaders from benefiting communities amongst others.
The Fresh Foundation project which kick started in 2013 have empowered almost 1000 indigent and out of school youth majorly from low income area and slums in Lagos state.