The Rose of Sharon Foundation Youth Empowerment Program (YEP) has organised an upskilling programme for hundreds of young people in Lagos in a bid to tackle the rising unemployment
The programme, which had the theme, ‘21st Century Skills and Businesses for Sustainable Income and Economic Inclusion’, was held for would-be entrepreneurs interested in learning digital skills with a chance for mentorship by seasoned industry experts.
One of the speakers and mentors, Managing Consultant, Ascent Gold Intercontinental Consult Ltd, Dr Senukon Ajose-Harrison, taught the attendees how to identify 21st-century businesses and implementation as well as how to identify trending skills and utilise them for success.
He also taught them how to convert knowledge into sustainable action, urging them not to look down on any business but to learn everything there is to know about it and excel in it.
While he revealed several successful businesses and applications they could start utilizing to make money, how to start, and how to navigate them, he also listed 21st-century skills every upcoming entrepreneur must learn to adapt to the changing times.
“I expect these young entrepreneurs to be transformed over the next few weeks. For anyone serious and determined, they will begin to make money,” he said.
Revealing that there would be mentoring opportunities for the young entrepreneurs, he said of the eight entrepreneurs he mentored from the November 2024 cohort, three of them have exceeded expectations.
He added that the goal remains to build sustainable entrepreneurs who will go on to invest in themselves and others.
“I understand it is tough, especially in this economy, but to be successful, youths must develop a disciplined and winning mindset,” he said.
Another speaker, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Arifab Media Solutions, RofiatBabatunde, took the attendees through digital skills and online businesses they can start and practical step-by-step ways they can thrive in the chosen businesses.
She said going by the interaction and enthusiasm witnessed, most of them will go on to succeed.
“Their mentality has changed and I believe they are ready to do the work. For people saying we have too many entrepreneurs now, I do not believe this. The sky is wide enough for all to fly and no business is saturated; it just depends on how you intend to stand out,” she said.
Country Manager, RoSF, Dr Ndudi Bowei, noted that whilst they have been holding different upskilling programmes over the years, this stands out because it brings a lot of value to young entrepreneurs, considering the economic situation of the country.
“As of today, roughly 42.8 per cent of youths are out of work. This is a huge crisis because of this joblessness, crime and other vices are rising sharply.”
Noting that this should concern everyone, she said this influenced the need for a programme to guide youths on how to navigate the challenge.
“For this phase, we decided to teach them 21st-century digital skills that would help them earn sustainable income and drive economic inclusion. Many young people have smartphones so we taught them skills they can do with their phones from the comfort of their homes and steer them away from crime,” she said.
