THE Lagos State Government, under the leadership of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, has announced a new partnership with an international organisation to provide opportunities in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) for one million youths in the state.
This was disclosed by the State Commissioner for the Ministry of Youth and Social Development, Mr Mobolaji Abubakre Ogunlende, during a Ministerial press briefing at Alausa, Ikeja, on Wednesday.
Ogunlende said the programme will be divided into four cohorts, starting with 250,000 youths, and will offer different cadres of certificates, including Artificial Intelligence.
According to the Commissioner, “We are starting with one million youth in Lagos State and we are looking to break it down to four cohorts, starting with 250,000 youths. It is tailored for formal and informal youth.
“Some youths have not been opportuned to go to school, but they want to learn, while some have gone to school but have dropped out, some do not like school, there are programmes that have been established for them, and there are different cadres of certificates. The brilliant one can go as far as Artificial Intelligence; there are programmes that will suit you as well. It’s across the value chain from the formal straight to the informal.”
He, however, expressed concern over the increasing rate of drug abuse among the younger generation, noting that many are introduced to it at a very young age due to peer pressure.
He revealed that the State Government has been engaging in various programmes and activities, including drama, musical concerts, and training of psychotherapists, to address the issue.
The Commissioner then emphasised the need for a collective effort to combat drug abuse among youths in the state.
