Speeches

Graduation Ceremony And Presentation Of Certificates At The Youth Empowerment Computer Training Programme

Dec 9, 2009 - Today’s occasion calls for celebration. One thousand, two hundred (1200) youths from across the State will join the ranks of self-employed youths that have graduated from our skill acquisition centres since 2005. They have been trained in PC assemblage, maintenance and repair, software installation as well as web design, hoisting and maintenance. Today, they will receive certificate of graduation in computer training, and by implication, their meal tickets.

This programme is another demonstration of the concern and commitment of our administration towards job creation. May I therefore, congratulate the beneficiaries for successful completing this training programme.

I am sure you will agree with me that Information Communication Technology (ICT) has changed our world. And the basic tool of change in this technology is an efficient, functioning computer system. This is why ICT has continued to provide employment opportunities for thousands of our people particularly the young people. We recognize this important role of ICT in economic transformation and therefore decided to extend it to the grassroots.

Before I continue, let me commend the vision and resourcefulness of the Ministry of Science and Technology, the facilitators of the programme. Your determination and commitment to translate our vision of creating employment through different projects has produced this marvelous result today.

Over these two years, we have been coming up with different vocational and occupational programmes so that we can mobilize and engage the citizenry. We hope to eradicate poverty, reduce unemployment and improve the standard of living in our society through these initiatives.

Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, it may interest you to know that 156, 000 new jobs have been created in the public service and other sectors, this year alone. Most of these have been done through the various skills acquisition schemes that we have been implementing.

Also, 5000 students were given vacation jobs during the long holiday. They were able to earn some pocket money to cushion the financial pressure on their parents and guardians.

Moreover, we have embarked on other programmes to diversify the economy and diversify the sources of income for our people. These include our Agriculture Based Youth empowerment Scheme tagged Agic-YES. The major objective is to engage, equip and empower interested Lagos youths to become world-class agro-entrepreneurs.

My fellow Lagosians, let me remind our young people again that the era of white collar jobs is over. The new reality now is the acquisition of skills in various trades so as to make the beneficiaries self-sustaining and self-dependent.

For those of you graduating today, you have made the right choice. I congratulate you and urge you all to make good use of this great opportunity given to you to set up your own business and become employers of labour.

May I also use this occasion to implore parents and guardians to advise their children and wards to avail themselves of this rare opportunity. This is part of our duty and responsibility as stakeholders in the future of our country, to provide opportunities for our children and youths to be self-employed.

Before concluding, I need to add that one other benefit of today’s event is that our administration has in addition to training the beneficiaries of today free of charge, provided a take-off grant to them. A stipend of twenty thousand naira (N20, 000) only has been disbursed to them as take-off grant. This is one way to tell them to move on and move up quickly and then settle down to serious business.

On a final note, I assure all Lagosians that we shall continue to discharge our responsibilities to all our people. We will not overlook any section as we will continue to do all our best to improve the quality of life of all Lagos residents.

Let me once again congratulate the lucky graduates of today and wish them all the best in their new endeavours. You should be focused and disciplined to harness the full benefits of this skills acquisition programme.

Thank you all and God bless.

Eko o ni baje o!

BABATUNDE RAJI FASHOLA, SAN
GOVERNOR OF LAGOS STATE