AS part of effort to reduce unemployment in the State, lawmaker representing Epe Federal Constituency, Wale Raji, has flagged off a skill acquisition training programme for youths in the area.
The scheme, which is in partnership with the Lagos State Technical and Vocational Board (LASTVEB), will train 100 youths in at least 15 skills beginning from February 1, 2016.
Unveiling the programme, Raji said that the phase 1 of 100 trainees was in line with his campaign promises to the people of Epe and would go a long way to improve the lot of beneficiaries.
While he commended the Lagos State government for the new N25b Employment Trust Fund scheme, the lawmaker said that the rate of unemployment was quite high and necessitated the need for corporate bodies and individuals to partner with the government.
He added that the programme would take place in Epe Technical School with enrollment forms obtainable at the All Progressives Congress (APC) secretariat in Epe; Eredo and Ikosi Ejinrin Local Government offices.
Raji added that the selection processes would be apolitical, since he represents all in the House of Representatives.
He assured that each trainee would also be empowered with requisite tools to help them establish a business in accordance with their training.
In his words: “We will assist them to set up their businesses and we will also create a strategy to monitor their progress. I will want to appeal to the leadership of the youth to see the scheme as an opportunity for self-employment.
“I don’t feel comfortable seeing youths begging for financial assistance. Ours is to empower them to be independent. No one gets rich by begging that is why we have come with an enduring legacy of making them financially independent,” Raji said.
The Executive Secretary, LASTVEB, Olawunmi Gasper, who lamented the dearth of local artisans with prerequisite skills, commended the lawmaker for the initiatives.
The Lagos APC Vice Chairman, Akanni Seriki, said that while some youths are interested in working but have no job to lay their hands on, others are not ready to work but only interested in begging for money from politicians.
