Young individuals numbering 500 were awarded certificates upon completing training in Cinematography & Photography, Carpentry & Woodwork, and Tie & Dye at the Micheal Imoudu National Institute of Labour Studies, located in Ilorin, Kwara State, North Central Nigeria.
Hailing from various regions across the nation, these 500 trainees represent a concerted effort to address youth unemployment by equipping them with practical skills.
Instructors, tasked with imparting fundamental knowledge in diverse fields, encouraged the youths to venture into entrepreneurship and establish their own businesses, thereby becoming self-employed through their creative endeavours.
Speaking to the press during the graduation ceremony, the Director General of the Institute, Comrade Issa Aremu, emphasised the significance of skill acquisition and entrepreneurship in combating the prevailing issue of youth unemployment in Nigeria. He stressed the importance of shifting the national narrative from job scarcity to gainful employment through skills development, aligning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision to enhance employability through skill acquisition initiatives.
Aremu applauded the initiative of the Federal Ministry of Labour, recognising the role played by the acquired skills in mitigating unemployment. He commended the dedication and zeal displayed by the graduates throughout the training programme, underscoring the transformative power of knowledge in empowering individuals to succeed.
Reiterating the institute’s mandate, Aremu emphasised the ongoing commitment to training youths in various skillsets, with the aim of fostering self-employment and promoting entrepreneurship.
Echoing these sentiments, Mr. Raji Ajayi, Deputy Director/Acting Head of Entrepreneurship Development Department, praised the determination and resilience exhibited by the youths in embracing entrepreneurial programmes. He urged them to leverage the acquired skills to enrich their lives and contribute positively to society as a whole.