The Lagos State Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment, on Wednesday, flagged off an apprenticeship training programme for youths within the Agege community.

The official flag-off was held at the Agege Local Government Council Secretariat.

The programme targeted youths in blighted areas and had the theme: “Blight To Bright Initiative”.

Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Akinyemi Ajigbotafe, said that the programme targeted underserved communities.

“As a government, we want to thank the Governor for supporting the mission of workspace and to ensure we leave no one behind,” Mr Ajigbotafe said.

He said that the initiative sought to reach people who lacked the opportunity to access government programmes directly.

“So we have to go out, go to the slums, and go to areas where people don’t expect government to come to them,” the commissioner said.

He said that research showed that many youths in those areas had never attended school and needed practical skills.

“Some are even telling us they don’t want to go to school, they need a skill in their hands.

“We can’t deny them what they want, we must put skills in their hands so they can grow,” Mr Ajigbotafe said.

He said the programme covered youths aged 14 to 30 years.

“This programme is to put a skill in their hands to make them better persons in the future,” the commissioner said.

He said that this was the second edition, following a successful first edition in 2025.

Mr Ajigbotafe said that the ministry would provide follow-up support to ensure trainees succeeded after the training.

“We are not just going to leave them to themselves, we will follow up and make sure they succeed,” he said.

Mr Ajigbotafe said that beneficiaries would receive start-up equipment after graduation and access to funding support.

“The ones with capacity to get more funds that we will give to them through Lagos State Employment Trust Fund,” he said.

Also speaking, the chairman of Agege Local Government, Abdul-Ganiyu Obasa, urged beneficiaries to take full advantage of the opportunity.

Mr Obasa advised them to use the skills and starter tools provided after the training to earn a living and become self-reliant.

“This is something government is always committed to, to put money in your pocket, to let you get something and be able to trade and develop yourselves.

“We believe that about 40 to 50 per cent of our young people between the ages of 18 and 35 are on the streets, not doing things that are meaningful or productive for themselves,” he said.

Mr Obasa said that this was why initiatives like this were important, adding that the local government was also committed to the programme and was backing it with resources.

He charged participants to make use of the opportunity to change their lives and contribute to the development of the community. 

(NAN)