The Lagos State Government has launched an apprenticeship training initiative aimed at empowering young people in Agege through practical skills development.
The programme, tagged “Blight To Bright Initiative,” was inaugurated on Wednesday at the Agege Local Government Council Secretariat by the state Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment.
The initiative is designed to support youths in underserved communities, particularly those in disadvantaged areas who may have limited access to formal education and government empowerment schemes.
Speaking during the launch, the Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Akinyemi Ajigbotafe, said the government was committed to reaching residents who might not be able to benefit from its programmes without direct intervention.
He explained that the ministry had taken the programme to communities where government support was less expected, adding that many young people in such areas preferred acquiring vocational skills rather than pursuing conventional education.
“Some are even telling us they don’t want to go to school; they need a skill in their hands. We cannot deny them what they want. We must equip them with skills that will help them grow,” Ajigbotafe said.
The commissioner noted that the training was targeted at youths between the ages of 14 and 30, with the goal of equipping them with skills that would improve their future prospects.
He added that the current edition was the second phase of the programme, following the success recorded during the first edition in 2025.
Ajigbotafe assured participants that the ministry would continue to support them after completing the training through monitoring, provision of start-up equipment, and access to funding opportunities.
He said some beneficiaries with the capacity to expand their businesses would receive further financial assistance through the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund.
The Chairman of Agege Local Government, Abdul-Ganiyu Obasa, also encouraged participants to maximise the opportunity by using the skills and tools provided to become self-reliant.
Obasa said the initiative reflected the government’s commitment to helping young people develop sustainable sources of income and become productive members of society.
He expressed concern that many youths between 18 and 35 years were idle and engaged in activities that did not contribute positively to their personal growth or the community.
The council chairman urged beneficiaries to take the training seriously and use the opportunity as a pathway to improve their lives and contribute to Agege’s development.
(NAN)