The Lagos State Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment has trained 250 residents in an Entrepreneurship-Mentorship Programme to keep them abreast of growing trends as well as develop communication skills across cultures, which is vital in the emerging world markets.
The State Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Mrs. Yetunde Arobieke, speaking at the commencement of the programme held recently at the State Treasury Resource Centre, Alausa, added that the workshop would also ensure the readiness of the participants for the future as globalisation has expanded the horizon of entrepreneurship.
She said the theme of the event, “Globally Competent, Globally Competitive”, was a clear indication of the resolve of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to equip entrepreneurs, especially youths, with the competitiveness that is presently on a fast lane and rife with countless challenges, demanding conditions cum requirements to be met to satisfy a craftable future.
The Commissioner amplified that the world is now more interconnected and interdependent than ever, as such there is a need to be globally competent to succeed, making it imperative for the present administration to escalate efforts on a global scale by training and equipping youths to combat societal problems and challenges.
“We have stepped up efforts by infusing various programmes and implementing policies, some of which Mr. Governor has put in place; today’s programme is packaged to challenge and inspire our teeming vibrant youth. Therefore, their success will largely be shaped by how ‘Globally Competent and Globally Competitive’ they are”. Arobieke said.
She noted that youths need the awareness, skills and knowledge to understand, navigate and flourish in the increasingly global economy, such as problem-solving, adaptability, work ethics and the ability to communicate in a business setting because they integrate academic knowledge with technical skills in real-world settings.
Her words: “Work-based learning programmes, in particular, really help youths get acclimated to these behavioural skills. There must be conscious and concerted efforts to upskill and retool ourselves to ensure that we are on track with global trends and standards to enhance the competence of the State tradesmen and artisans”.
She stressed that the Ministry initiated the capacity building scheme to upskill the Artisans in meeting the modern-day business realities and position them to be globally competitive and productive, adding that a total of 19,840 artisans selected from registered Trade Associations have been trained by the Ministry.
The Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Kafayat Ajenifuja, remarked that the advent of technology and communication advancements have made global citizenship education a need rather than a luxury and more feasible than ever before.
Mrs. Ajenifuja said that social entrepreneurs have developed models to integrate global citizenship education into formal and informal education opportunities for youths, stressing that these initiatives, while developed at the individual level, are proven models that can be adopted and upscaled as the skills remain vital.
