The Lagos State Government (LASG) has assured the youth of support for their investible ideas and innovations, through various platforms.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu gave the assurance at the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) 2021 Batch B, Stream 1 passing-out parade held on Thursday at its Orientation Camp, in Iyana-Ipaja, Lagos.
4,707 NYSC members concluded their service with the parade. Sanwo-Olu was represented by the Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Relations, Mr Sesan Ogundeko.
According to him, the government is focused on giving youths all the necessary support to unleash their innovative and creative skills.
He applauded the batch for their successful completion the one-year mandatory service to their fatherland.
“I commend you all for the diligence and hard work displayed in ensuring you leave worthy legacies.
“These will fast track the development of your places of primary assignment and host communities.
“I therefore believe that you have put in your best to the socio-economic, education, cultural and political growth.
“We have created the Lagos State Science and Research Innovation Council (LASTIC) through which we can support individuals who have developed innovative and technology-driven ideas geared towards providing solutions to challenges we are encountering as a state and nation.
“Also the Lagos State Empowerment Trust Fund (LSETF) through which we provide grants and loans to start-ups and youths who have ideas that are investible, sellable, innovative and creative,” he said.
The Governor urged graduates who just passed out from the NYSC to put to best use lessons learnt during the service year.
“I urge you to keep in mind and put to effective use all the lessons of the service year which include hard work, diligence and tolerance.
“These lessons will be impactful in helping you to further appreciate our diversity as a nation,you must maximise opportunity of Skill Acquisition Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) to learn a skill or two.
“I implore you to further develop these skills and use the education you have to your advantage in rebranding, repacking and in being innovative with these skills,” he added.
In same vein, State Coordinator NYSC, Lagos, Mrs Yetunde Baderinwa, said that the government and people were pleased with contributions of the corps members to the development of the state during the service year.
“Your roles during your Community Development Programmes have been overwhelming, our Badagry, Onigbongbo Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers saw your volunteerism and commitment towards the people.
“Our National Sanitation Programme also witnessed your engagement in keeping Lagos clean. It is for these acts of humanity and services that I want to extol you and congratulate you for completing this phase,” she said.
Baderinwa said that the graduated corps members had been well-equipped to tackle challenges that they might encounter after the service year, through various skills and life-changing programmes organised for them.
She said that in addition to SAED Programmes and funding options, arrangements had been concluded with Jobberman and Grand Oak, to interview the graduated corps members for some openings in their ranks.
Baderinwa urged them to seize the opportunities to secure gainful employments and begin their immediate future on strong footings.