The Ministry of Youth Development has announced its intention to partner with the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) to enhance skill acquisition and promote entrepreneurship among young Nigerians. The Minister of State for Youth Development, Mr. Ayodele Olawande, emphasized this collaborative effort during a meeting with TEF’s management, led by Ms. Somachi Chris-Asoluka, in Lagos.
Key Highlights of the Collaboration:
– Training Programs and Mentorship: The partnership will include various training programs, mentorship initiatives, and access to resources designed to empower young people to become successful entrepreneurs and professionals.
– Public-Private Synergy: Mr. Olawande underscored the importance of strong collaboration between public and private entities to achieve better and faster results.
– Minister’s Statement: “Just yesterday at the Lagos State Employment Summit, I highlighted the importance of fostering deeper collaboration between the public and private sectors. Today, I am here to put those words into action by discussing how we can partner to improve the prospects of young people.”
– Impact of TEF: The minister praised TEF’s significant impact over the years in job creation and poverty reduction through their entrepreneurship program, which has enabled many young Nigerians and Africans to become employers.
– Enhanced Achievements: Mr. Olawande expressed that partnering with the Ministry of Youth Development could further amplify TEF’s achievements.
TEF’s Response:
– Support for Youth Initiatives: Ms. Somachi Chris-Asoluka, TEF’s CEO, expressed her enthusiasm for the collaboration and commended the minister’s initiatives. She highlighted the importance of prioritizing grassroots needs and praised the minister’s efforts to engage with young people.
– CEO’s Statement: “I am genuinely impressed by your dedicated efforts to engage with young people. Providing them with the opportunity to express their needs and preferences is essential in ensuring effective support.”
– Commitment to Collaboration: Ms. Chris-Asoluka pledged TEF’s unwavering support for the Nigerian Youth Academy (NiYA) project and the Corpreneur Support Initiative of the Youth Ministry, reflecting a shared vision to empower and uplift the youth through collaborative efforts.
This partnership aims to provide young Nigerians with the necessary skills and resources to thrive in their entrepreneurial ventures and professional careers, contributing to the broader goal of national development..
