A Non-Governmental Organization, JAKIN Initiative International, has empowered several out of school youths in Lagos.
This is coming as the NGO in a project, Fresh Foundation Project, sponsored and supported by ACT Foundation and Access Bank graduated no fewer than 180 of the youths after going through a three-month training in Life building skills, Business management principles and vocational skills.
The vocational skills include: Hair braiding, ICT and basic coding, bag making, fabric stoning, make up, manicure and pedicure among others.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony of the youths, the founder of the NGO, Bukola Adebiyi advised the government to focus on youth development as a way of securing the future of the country.
“I think the priority is the impact on the Nigerian youths. And with what we saw last year alone with the outcome of EndSARS, the Nigerian youths were frustrated, and if we don’t come up with empowerment schemes to boost their morale, we will have a Tsunami in Nigeria. So, this has been the push since 2013.
“We are very favoured to meet ACT foundation who are in their fourth cycle of brand endorsement. The idea that education is no longer profitable has to be reversed and we need to revamp the value of education.”
Meanwhile, a member of ACT Foundation, Oluchi Okorafor, while speaking with our correspondent, lauded the JAKIN NGO, saying the programme would raise the spirit of Nigerian youths.
“We are very happy we had a good partnership with JAKIN NGO in their aim to impact Nigerian youths. It’s been good, the JAKIN team knows how to find people who need help and they succeeded in dealing with the situation. Unemployment has long been a big challenge in Nigeria, and this is one of the ways it can be overcome. My message to the youth is that they should not give up and keep doing their best.”
On her part, a graduate of the programme, Odigbo Chiamaka said “The training has been very good and impactful. I am happy that I’m privileged to be here today. JAKIN has been here and helped us a lot. I can confidently make a bag and sell it. I will work at impacting the lives of others just as JAKIN impacted mine, and the world will be a better place. I appreciate JAKIN for making everything comfortable and conducive for us.
Another graduate, Kofoworola said: The experience has been wonderful, I met JAKIN NGO and I learnt a lot, I am really grateful to be here. I have been to other NGOs that talk about sexual violence, but JAKIN took the time out to impact the youths and that’s just a different level to it. My message to the youth is you still have more time, you can still achieve your dreams, aims, your time is not limited.”
JAKIN NGO was established in Lagos State on October 12th 2003 with the sole aim of solving some of the social challenges facing communities.