The United States African Development Foundation (USADF), Field of Skills and Dreams (FSD) Institute, and Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) have joined forces to train 400 youths in various vocational skills. The grant signing ceremony took place on Tuesday at the FSD academy in Agege, with officials from LSETF and USADF in attendance.
Travis Adkins, President and CEO of USADF, emphasized the foundation’s commitment to fostering entrepreneurship development among African youths. He noted that the grant aims to empower women and youths in Lagos by helping them develop employable skills and create entrepreneurial opportunities. “This will enable them to develop employable skills, including life-saving skills, create a path for themselves to start their own businesses as entrepreneurs, and find jobs that will allow them to support their families,” Adkins said. He added that the program would also help future entrepreneurs create jobs for others.
Omowale Ogunrinde, founder of FSD Academy, highlighted the significance of the grant, which will allow the institute to train 400 youths in vocational skills such as catering, tailoring, domestic and industrial wiring, and welding. She also pointed out that the grant is unique because it includes monthly transport support for the trainees, making it more accessible for those selected for the program.
Ogunrinde, reflecting on FSD’s impact over the years, said, “We will not be doing this for 21 years if it is not working. Lives and families are being changed. We have done this in 13 states. We have won several local and international awards. We are quiet, but the impacts are much. I tell people you can’t make noise when you are making impacts.”
This partnership between USADF, FSD, and LSETF is poised to create significant opportunities for the youth in Lagos, equipping them with essential skills to secure employment and pursue entrepreneurial ventures.
