In the bid to ensure that youths in Lagos become more productive and build the right skills for employability, Lagos State government through the Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment has empowered over 300 youths resident in Badagry.

The recently concluded four-day training exercise themed: Mindset Re-orientation and Employability Skills Programme is one of the many programmes the Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment embarked upon to equip unemployed youths with the right skill-set required to bridge skill-gaps hindering employability.

While speaking at the event, the Director of Employment Department in the Ministry of Wealth Creation Mrs. Iyabo Seriki Bello, who represented the Commissioner, Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment, Pharm. (Mrs.) Uzamat Akinbile Yusuf reiterated the commitment of the State government become one of the smartest economies in Africa and in the world through its Mindset Re-Orientation and Employability Programme.

The Commissioner stated that the initiative will help youths channel their energy properly towards career skills that will improve their standard of living, just as she also implored them to consider both technical and vocational training that can make them self-reliant beyond white-collar jobs.

She assured the youths that government will not only train them but will also ensure that they have easy access to finance for their business ideas through the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), which Governor Akinwunmi Ambode inaugurated to fund businesses for youths who have chosen to tow the path of wealth creation.

Also, the representative of Chairman, Badagry Local Government, Engineer Shorayo Emmanuel Akande, said that the wealth creation drive by the Ministry will not only reduce unemployment but will reduce social vices, increase skilled workforce and make the youths in Lagos State more productive and responsive.

He affirmed that the efforts of the State government at ensuring that all LGAs in Lagos benefit from its numerous training programmes is a pointer to the fact that this administration is willing to invest in improving the lives of its citizens.

Two beneficiaries of the training, Kayode Sanyaolu and Jimoh Segun Rewane, who spoke on behalf of other participants, appealed to the State Government to create more training centres so that more youths can also benefit from similar training opportunity.