Abiodun Orekoya, a member of Lagos State House of Assembly representing Somolu Constituency I, has organised a capacity-building programme for 3,000 youths, exposing them to available economic potential in the state.

Hundreds of youths in Somolu and its environs participated in the maiden edition of capacity building summit themed: “Onboarding Sustainable Future Leaders” organised by the lawmaker on Wednesday.

Mr Orekoya, while giving his remarks, said that the young generation needed to renew, refresh and maintain the status of society at an enviable height as they contributed their ideas and energy to resolve societal issues.

“Youths are the future of every society. It is a known fact that they become capable leaders that could make meaningful impact in the society and the lives of others.

“This is the maiden edition and it is set to unlock the economic potential of our youths, expose them to opportunities that are available in different spheres and capacity building in Lagos state.

“To earn respect we must end poverty. Our partners, Bank of Industry (BOI), Lagos State Employment and Corporate Affairs Commission were carefully selected based on the yearnings of our youths and their set goals,” he said.

According to him, the organisations are already in the business of empowering our youths.

The divisional dead, SMEs directorate BOI, Obaro Osah, in his remarks, urged youths to always dream big and start small in their business careers.

Mr Osah said that youths ought to be well-informed about the business they intend to venture into.

“We urge the youth to always dream big and ensure they start small in any business they intend to venture into.

“They need to be well informed, read business news, create time for knowledge building and share ideas among themselves.

“We also advise them to form partnership by coming together and pulling resources to establish with written agreement. This will help them to grow faster,” he said.

Mr Osah also urged the youth to ensure they register their businesses with the Corporate Affairs Commission to allow them to gain access to loan facilities in the bank.

He said that BOI had a good capital base, which gave opportunity to any registered businesses to have access to loan facilities in the bank.

The director of finance, Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), Adewunmi Oni, in his address, urged the youth to create entrepreneurial skills for self-reliance.

Mr Oni said that LSETF had the ability to offer loans to artisans and entrepreneurs who needed additional capital to thrive in the business without collateral.

According to him, the agency has engaged a number of youths within the age bracket of 18 to 45 in capacity building for four weeks to eight months.

“We place them in the organisation where their skills are needed or required or for self-reliance according to their ability.

“Our agency also organised idea hub where mentees meet mentors for business and skill acquisitions.

“So we encourage the youth to visit our website as there are many opportunities lined up for youths to benefit from,” he said.

One of the participants, Segun Olukoya, thanked the lawmaker for organising such an expository capacity building for teeming youths to benefit from.

Mr Olukoya said that he would tap into various opportunities exposed to him as he was planning to enlarge his business.

Another participant, Kaosarat Lawal, hailed the lawmaker for the capacity building, saying that such enlightenment would help her improve more on her business.

“I really gained a lot in this session, and I know that from now my business will not remain the same any longer.

“First, I discovered that I need to register my business. Even with as low as N10,000 to N15,000, I can do that which gives me access to get a loan from BOI.

“I really appreciate the summit and I advise other youths and business owners out there to imbibe the economic development put in place by the government,” she said.

(NAN)