Foundation equips college students with work skills

Entrprise, Growth, and Opportunities (EGO) Foundation, a development organisation with the goal of reducing poverty and unemployment in Africa, has launched its work skills programme for undergraduates and fresh graduates.

The event, held at the Federal College of Education (FCE) Technical in Lagos, over the weekend, drew participants from the institution and beyond.

In the end, several of them benefitted through scholarships into tech-related programmes; free mentoring with successful professionals; jobs and internship offer, as well as funding opportunities provided by the organisers.

In his opening remarks, the Executive Director of EGO Foundation, Toluwase Olaniyan, said: “Thankfully, we have credible organisations and persons who have partnered with us on this project and will provide all necessary skills and resources you need to succeed.”

Those partners include the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF); Access Bank; and Worden HCD amongst others.

Dr Akinola Ojelade, the FCE’s dean of student affairs who represented the institution’s registrar, noted that the skill acquisition event was timely due to the current realities of the world. He charged the students to learn all that is necessary to make them relevant after their academic programmes.

The event featured both entrepreneurship and employability sessions with seasoned facilitators. A leading strategist, Ayo-Bankole Akintujoye stirred the audience through critical thinking, while successful entrepreneur, David Lanre Messan elaborated on strategies to navigate the business space in Nigeria. Ndifreke Bernard facilitated a CV writing workshop.

Taiwo Olaniyan, the Head, of Business Support at LSETF spoke on the various opportunities that Lagos State provides through the organisation. These include grants, low-interest loans, and access to infrastructure. She encouraged the students not to feel too young to start their own businesses, noting that mistakes are sometimes necessary in order to become successful in any endeavour.

Answering questions, she outlined the kinds of proposals that often get the trust fund’s approval. “The projects we support must show the capacity to create jobs,” she concluded.