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IYD: Alliance Trains 1331 Youths in Vocational, Technical Skills
In response to the growing challenge of Nigeria’s youth unemployment, a group, the Alliance for Youth Nigeria, has taken up the initiative to bridge the gap by developing innovative solutions that create sustainable earning opportunities for young people across the country. This is in offering vocational and technical training for the young ones, an effort that has produced about 1331 graduates since inception, according to a statement by the management of Nestlé.
This year’s exercise alone produced 372 trained youths, which swell the numbers of trainees so far produced.
It’s worthy of note that according to the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics, Nigeria’s youth unemployment rate among individuals aged 15-24 rose to 8.6% in Q3 2023, reflecting an increase of 1.4% from Q2 2023.
Launched in August 2021, the Alliance for Youth is a business-driven movement comprising organizations dedicated to empowering young Nigerians with the skills they need to thrive in today’s job market or create their own businesses.
The Alliance includes organizations such as Nestlé Nigeria, a founding member, Jobberman Nigeria, Big Bottling Company, the United Nations Global Compact Network Nigeria, and U-Connect HR Limited. They are supported by the Federal Ministry of Youth, Lagos State Employment Trust Fund, and Activate Success International, with the aim to reach 250,000 young Nigerians with employability and entrepreneurial skills.
The Vocational Skills Training, delivered in collaboration with the Whitefield Foundation, is a flagship initiative designed to help achieve this objective. The training covers four key skill areas: solar panel installation, graphic design (including social media and web design), CCTV and cable installation, and beauty care, including makeup, aromatherapy, and massage.
A standout success story from the 2023 cohort is that of Mustapha Fasasi, a 34-year-old from Oyo State in South-West Nigeria. Mustapha had always been interested in solar and renewable energy but lacked the skills to pursue a career in this field. The Alliance for Youth’s upskilling program came at just the right time for him. After hearing about the opportunity on a radio program, Mustapha eagerly signed up for the training. Today, he is on his way to building a successful business in solar energy, equipped with the knowledge and skills he needs to support himself and his family.
This year, the vocational training in commemoration of International Youth Day 2024 culminated in the graduation of 372 participants at St John Anglican College, Kuto Abeokuta. Alliance for Youth Nigeria members encouraged the graduates to pursue their dreams, utilizing their acquired skills. Highflyers from each vocational skill set were rewarded with start-up kits and capital to facilitate the immediate launch of their businesses. Graduates from the graphic design training received laptops; those from the beauty, massage, and aromatherapy training received makeup tool kits and massage beds; high-flyers from the solar installation class were also awarded complete toolboxes.
Beneficiaries from each skill set also had the chance to demonstrate what they learned through real-time practical projects, showing the tangible impact the training had on their lives.
Reflecting on the broader impact of the Alliance for Youth Nigeria initiatives, Tumi Onamade, Chief Operating Officer of the United Nations Global Compact Network Nigeria, stated, “As we celebrate International Youth Day and the 3rd Anniversary of the Alliance for Youth, we are reminded of the immense potential within our young people to drive transformative change. The dedication, creativity, and resilience they have shown, especially those who traveled from various states to participate in the vocational skills training held in Ogun State, highlight their commitment to personal growth and community development. These young individuals are not just the leaders of tomorrow; they are the change-makers of today, shaping a more sustainable and inclusive future with their innovative ideas and bold actions.”
“At the United Nations Global Compact Network Nigeria, we are committed to supporting the Alliance and our youth by providing them with the skills to realize their potential. By investing in their education, skills development, and leadership, we empower them to create a future where everyone can thrive.”
Shakiru Lawal, Country Human Resources Manager at Nestlé Nigeria, also emphasized the significance of these efforts: “Investing in today’s youth is crucial because the actions we take now will shape our nation’s future prosperity. At Nestlé, we understand that the well-being of our communities depends on the opportunities we create for the next generation. This is why we are committed to working with like-minded organizations to ensure that young people are equipped with the skills necessary to secure meaningful employment or start their own businesses. The 372 beneficiaries of this year’s training have now joined the 805 youth we have previously trained in technical and vocational skills.”
Since 2021, Alliance for Youth Nigeria has collaborated with federal platforms such as NYSC, career fairs, and mutual goal-oriented organizations to provide 35,499 youth with vocational training, employability, and soft skill enhancements. This effort aligns with the organization’s objective to empower 250,000 young people.
Other representatives from the Alliance for Youth Initiative present at the event were Adewole Adesete, HR Manager Nestlé Nigeria; Toritseju Egbebi, Corporate Affairs Manager Nestlé Nigeria; Funmi Johnson, COO of Whitefield Foundation; Oladoyin Kolawole, Senior Strategy Consultant; Atom Lim, Activate Success International and Edidiong Peters, Regulatory Affairs Manager for Nestlé Nigeria.
Beyond the Alliance for Youth, Nestlé’s commitment to empowering young people extends to its broader youth engagement platform, Nestlé Needs YOUth. Launched in 2013, this initiative helps young people access economic opportunities through four key pillars: employment, skills development, support, and creating more opportunities. Through these programs, Nestlé reaches an average of 25,000 youths annually, making a difference in their lives and the future of Nigeria.
International Youth Day, celebrated annually on August 12, aims to bring youth issues to the forefront of international and national communities. It raises awareness of significant health, education, and employment concerns impacting young people. This year’s theme, “From Clicks to Progress: Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development,” highlights digital technology’s critical role in advancing sustainable development goals.
Nestlé Nigeria and the other corporate members of the Alliance for Youth Nigeria remain committed to ensuring that young people are prepared for today’s challenges and equipped to lead with innovative solutions in the digital-driven future.
A federal judge in the United States, on Thursday, put a temporary block on President Donald Trump’s attempt to restrict birthright citizenship.
The ruling imposes a 14-day halt on the enforcement of one of the most controversial executive orders Trump signed hours after being sworn into office for a second term.
It comes after lawsuits were filed by a total of 22 states, two cities and numerous civil rights groups.
“This is a blatantly unconstitutional order,” senior US District Judge John Coughenour was reported as saying during the hearing in Washington State.
“I’ve been on the bench for over four decades, I can’t remember another case where the question presented is as clear as this one is,” said Coughenour, who was appointed to the bench by a Republican president, Ronald Reagan.
Birthright citizenship is fundamental to America’s national identity, with the 14th Amendment to the US Constitution decreeing that anyone born on US soil is a citizen.
It says, in part: “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.”
Trump’s order was premised on the idea that anyone in the US illegally, or on a visa, was not “subject to the jurisdiction” of the country, and therefore excluded from this category.
AFP
The Court of Appeal sitting in Akure, Ondo State capital has upheld the death sentence of Ramon Adedoyin, a prominent businessman and hotelier, for his involvement in the murder of one Timothy Adegoke, a former postgraduate student of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State.
Delivering the judgment on Thursday, the court affirmed the earlier verdict of the Osun State High Court, which had sentenced Adedoyin to death.
“The judgment of the High Court of Osun State stands. Adedoyin’s appeal is dismissed in part,” the court declared in part.
The Court of Appeal, however, set aside some aspects of the lower court’s orders, including the forfeiture of the Hilton Hotel and the order for Adedoyin to pay for the education of Adegoke’s children.
Furthermore, the court ruled that it had no jurisdiction to impose penalties outside the statutory provisions
Adegoke’s death was reported in November 2021 after his corpse was found at the Hilton Honours Hotel in Ile-Ife, Osun State, where he had lodged.
The hotelier had travelled from Abuja for an examination at a distance learning centre in Moro, Osun State on November 5 of that year.
He had checked into the hotel but was reported missing after two days. However, Adegoke’s body was found days later, leading to a probe that linked his death to Adedoyin and others.
In May 2023, Adedoyin and others were sentenced to death after they were found guilty of murder and conspiracy to murder.
But dissatisfied with the judgement, Adedoyin approached the Appeal court to dismiss the sentence and conviction.
The court of appeal, on Thursday, however, upheld the conviction and death sentence of the hotelier.
The Nigeria Police have announced that their operatives have rescued Mrs Folasade Odumosu, the wife of a former Assistant Inspector General, Hakeem Odumosu, who was last Thursday, kidnapped at the entrance of her home in Arepo, Ogun State.
The Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, confirmed this in a statement on Thursday in Abuja, noting that two of the kidnappers were killed while four others escaped without their weapons.
Adejobi said with the support of the Force Headquarters technical intelligence platforms, the Ogun State police operatives engaged Odumosu’s abductors in a gun duel and neutralized the criminals in the swampy area of Ikorodu on Wednesday.
The police spokesman added that Mrs Odumosu is currently undergoing a medical evaluation and has since been reunited with her family.
The statement read, “In a commendable display of teamwork and swift action, police operatives attached to the Ogun State Command have successfully neutralized the kidnappers of Mrs. Odumosu, wife of Retired Assistant-Inspector General, AIG Hakeem Odumosu, and rescued her unharmed.
“On January 16, 2025, at approximately 9:45 PM, four masked gunmen forcibly abducted Mrs. Odumosu from her Lexus Jeep outside her residence in Arepo, Ogun State. The abduction sparked an immediate response from the anti-kidnapping unit of the Ogun State Police Command, who commenced a thorough investigation and targeted pursuit of the kidnappers.
“With the support of the Force Headquarters technical intelligence platforms, the Ogun State police operatives engaged in extensive surveillance of the creeks surrounding Arepo, gathering crucial information to track down the assailants. Their efforts culminated in a raid on January 23, 2025, at around 06:45 AM. The intelligence-led operation took the police to a creek in the swampy area of Ikorodu, where the kidnappers were reportedly planning their next attack.
“Upon arrival, the operatives encountered the kidnappers, who opened fire. In the ensuing confrontation, two of the gunmen were neutralized, while four others fled the scene, abandoning their operational weapons.”
Adejobi said the police operatives recovered N10m initially paid to the kidnappers, four Ak-47 rifles, three locally made single barrel rifles, and ammunition of various calibres.
He added, “The victim, Mrs Odumosu was rescued within the swampy creeks during the operation, unharmed. She is currently undergoing medical evaluation as a precautionary measure and has since been reunited with her family. The police also recovered 4 Ak-47 rifles, 3 locally made single barrel rifles, ammunition of various calibres, and the sum of N10,000,000 ransom previously demanded by the kidnappers, further ensuring that justice is served.”
Adejobi said the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, commended the police operatives and the Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Lanre Ogunlowo, for the rescue operation.
He asserted that the Police Force is committed to safeguarding the citizens and combat kidnapping and other violent crimes.
“The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM., has commended the Ogun State Commissioner of Police, CP Lanre Ogunlowo, and his operatives for their displayed gallantry in this successful operation.
“This operation exemplifies the dedication and resilience of our Police officers. The Nigeria Police Force remains steadfast in its mission to combat kidnapping and other violent crimes, providing safety and security to all citizens,” he added.
