LAGOS WEALTH CREATION MINISTRY PREPARES UNEMPLOYED GRADUATES  FOR TASK AHEAD

If there is one herculean task the Nigerian government is currently faced with, then it has to be unemployment. Over the past two decades, the unemployment rate in the country has continued to rise to alarming proportions. According to a recent survey by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) 70% of Nigeria’s youth are unemployed. This, indeed, should be a major concern for any pro-active government.
Lagos State, the economic and financial hub of the nation and home to a population of over 20 million people has some of the highest indices of youth unemployment. It has also been noted that, apart from the fact that there are limited job opportunities available for the youths, a large chunk of them have also been found to be lacking in what has been described as “employability skills” vital for security employment. It is on this premise that the Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment is starting an initial, proposing a 3 month paid internship programme for graduates not older than 30 years with 1 year post NYSC, to prepare the intern for the work force. This programme will serve as a form of experimental learning that integrates knowledge and theory learned in the classroom with partial application and skills development in a professional environment.
To kick-start this initiative, the Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment held a breakfast Roundtable meeting with stake holders last week, May 2nd, 2017, at NECA House, Alausa, Ikeja. The event which was well attended had notable representations from the private sector. Top executive officers from the banking sector, the Oil & Gas industry, Tourism, Manufacturing, etc. were duly present.
Starting with the opening remark by the Honourable Commissioner, Wealth Creation and Employment, Mr. Babatunde Durosinmi – Etti, he reaffirmed the commitment of the Lagos State Government under the leadership of His Excellency, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to empower the youths and boost employment generation within the state. The ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Yakubu Olajide Bashorun also spoke about the Ministry’s commitment to see through the initiative and gradually ease the burden of youth unemployment the state is currently carrying. The principal officer of Mactay Consult who are partnering with the ministry on the initiative also addressed the guests, assuring everyone present of his team’readiness to deliver on the project.
After a robust and enriching question and answer session, goodwill messages were also delivered by top executive officers from the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM), Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association, (NECA), Lagos Chambers of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) and last but not the least, Nigerian Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME). Every one of these agencies reiterated their intention to support the ministry all the way on the laudable initiative.