Lagos targets 8,000 youth entrepreneurs, holds BizFair for MSMEs

IBRAHIM QUADRI

Lagos government said plans are in the pipeline to empower 8,000 youth entrepreneurs under its Jobs Initiative Lagos (JIL) aimed at preparing participants for immediate entry into the workforce.

This is coming just as the State Goverment in collaboration with private sector is to organize maiden edition of the Lagos Island Business Connect, 2022.

This was disclosed by the State Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Co-operatives, Mrs Lola Akande during a briefing at Alausa, Ikeja.

The event scheduled to hold on Thursday, 24th to Sunday, 27th November, 2022, has as theme; “Edu-Social For Entrepreneurs In Lagos Island & Lagos State Towards Social Economic Empowerment.”

The event tagged, ‘LI-BIZ-FAIR’ is designed to encourage the promotion of business and social enterprise among Entrepreneurs – particularly the Youths.

The Commissioner said, “As a State, we are collaborating with the organisers because the Fair aligns with the Federal Government’s Policy on diversification of the economy from the focus on oil to non-oil export.

“We also consider the Fair quite important because while it focuses on all MSMEs in Lagos Island in particular and Lagos State/Nigeria in general, it is giving special attention to youth entrepreneurs.

“I want to assure you that the Administration of Mr. Governor, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu will continue to work towards implementing this initiative as a yearly programme/event. So I called the attention of youth in our dear State in particular and all MSMEs in Lagos Island to avail themselves of these great opportunities.

“It is pertinent to note that the present administration has also commenced a youth empowerment programme, under its Jobs Initiative Lagos (JIL), targeted at final year students and those in penultimate classes in higher institutions. The programme targets 8,000 entrepreneurs, who will undergo entrepreneurship and employability skills training programmes.

“The Job Initiative Lagos is aimed at preparing participants for immediate entry into the workforce as employees and employers of labour, by equipping them with the new market-aligned knowledge, soft skills, business tools, and a mindset re-orientation that will make them suitable and qualify for their chosen career in the technology-driven world of work.

“The Lagos Island Business Fair falls into the category of other similar events in which the administration, through the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives, collaborated to ensure exposure of our MSMEs to the outside world.”