Over 70% of state youths in business, says commissioner
The Anwar-ul-Islam Old Students Association (ACAOSA) Global has advocated regular training, better remuneration and incentives for teachers to attract the best hands into the profession, and secure Nigeria’s future.
ACAOSA gave the advice, at the weekend, during a one-day capacity building it organised for 50 teachers drawn from Anwar-ul-Islam College (formerly Ahmadiyya College), Agege, and Anwar-ul-Islam Girls’ High School, Ojokoro, in Agege, Lagos State.
President-General of ACAOSA Global, Dr Abdulfatai Afolabi, said that the decision to embark on the initiative was informed by the direct performance of students and grades in final examinations.
Meanwhile, Lagos State Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mobolaji Ogunlende, has disclosed that more than 70 per cent of young people in the state are entrepreneurs who require fiscal and structural support to scale their businesses.
Ogunlende made the remark while addressing journalists at the third cohort of the amplifier business clinic pitch competition, where 35 entrepreneurs presented ideas to investors after a master class on leadership and enterprise for over 100 participants.
He, however, reiterated the state government’s commitment to youth empowerment through the amplifier business clinic, a flagship initiative in partnership with Pelse Consulting, designed to sharpen entrepreneurial skills and provide access to mentorship, grants, and strategic networks.
The commissioner noted that in an economy where not every graduate will secure a white-collar job, entrepreneurship had become an essential path for survival.
Managing Partner of Pelse Consulting, Adeniji Oluwafemi Boboye, explained that the clinic was created to help entrepreneurs put proper structures in place.
Also, Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Oluwatoyin Oke-Osanyintolu, announced that plans are under way to hold the clinic simultaneously across the state’s five divisions, Ikeja, Badagry, Ikorodu, Epe and Lagos Island, to deepen its impact.
