By Sodeinde Temidayo David
The Lagos State Government has partnered with the single largest job placement website in sub-Saharan Africa, Jobberman, to create 14 million jobs under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) deal.
This was disclosed by the state Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Mrs Yetunde Arobieke, in an interview after the kick-off of a programme to train and upskill youths in job-ready skills.
She expressed that one of the goals of the state government is to enhance youths ‘competitiveness through job opportunities.
She also echoed that the government is ensuring that jobs are created for the youth who are its biggest resources.
According to her, AFCFTA would create huge job opportunities for the youth. She hinted that the government was embarking on a talent hunt to empower youths.
“The partnership was to provide free soft skills training for youths. The training focused on equipping graduates with employability skills, how to be more marketable, get jobs and keep those jobs on their hands,” she stated.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment, Mrs Kafayat Ajenifuja, on her part, stated that the forum offered the chance for the participants to develop their professional skills and increase their employability.
As well, the Senior Youth Engagement Associate of Jobberman, Mr Prince Ihemegbulam, noted that the partnership aligns with the Jobberman and Mastercard foundations efforts to train five million young Nigerians and place three million in dignified work over the next five years.
He further explained that the partnership aligns with Jobberman’s mission to upskill and connect young people to their dream jobs and help employers get the best talent to help grow their businesses.
Jobberman is set to provide free soft skills training for Nigerians and had recently impacted, trained, and certified over 5,600 youths in Kano.
As part of its campaign, Jobberman commenced the second phase of its new tech-based campaign, #FindYourDigitalSuperpower’, aimed at positioning the youths for relevance in the forthcoming digital revolution.