The Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, has urged young Nigerians to embrace patriotism and innovation as vital tools for national transformation.
Olawande made the call during the closing ceremony of the 2nd Cohort of the Skillnovation Training Program, where 100 graduates were honoured for completing their intensive skills training, held in Gwagwalada, Abuja, Nigeria.
The Skillnovation Training Program is a partnership initiative involving WEMA Bank, the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, and the Research Development & Training Institute (RDTI).
The four-week program equipped participants with practical knowledge in various fields, including hair making, make-up artistry, confectionery, digital marketing, and shoemaking.
Delivering the Minister’s message, the director general of the Committee of Youth on Mobilisation and Sensitisation (CYMS), Obinna Nwaka, emphasised the importance of youth self-reliance, creativity, and community impact.
He noted that the program complements other Ministry-driven initiatives such as the Nigerian Youth Academy (NiYA), the Pi-CNG Youth Initiative, and the Nigerian Youth Investment Fund (NYIF).
On behalf of the Minister, Nwaka presented certificates and cheques to the graduates, commending their diligence, focus, and perseverance.
He also acknowledged Dr Chiji Ojukwu, Managing Director of the African Project Development Centre Group (APDC), for his unwavering commitment to youth empowerment and development.
Distinguished guests, including Kelechi Ugwumba, CYMS Director of Contacts and Mobilisation, and Evelyn, from the Volunteer Group, applauded the program’s impact and urged the beneficiaries to apply their skills toward advancing national development.
As the graduates set out to begin their entrepreneurial journeys, the Skillnovation Training Program stands as a shining example of collaboration aimed at building a generation of innovative, skilled, and patriotic young Nigerians