By Sandra Nnaemeka
The United States Consul General Lagos, Wednesday expressed its commitment to the development of entrepreneurial skills of young Nigerians.
This, the Consulate believes will protect the future of Nigeria as it reiterated that it will continue to work with Skills Development Centres like the Field of Skills and Dreams VTE Academy, Ogba, Ikeja- Lagos, in their initiatives to empower and equip young people in business and technology.
Speaking during the flag off of a two-day workshop for emerging entrepreneurs by the Academy, the Public Affairs Officer, United States Consulate General Lagos, Russell Brooks, charged the participants on how to stay afloat in a tumultuous business climate, also reiterated the diplomatic commitment of the US government in Africa, particularly Nigeria.
He however, expressed optimism about the future of Nigeria and her young people.
He said, ‘You may ask why is the U.S. government interested in supporting entrepreneurs, especially in Africa. That’s a good question and I believe I have a good.
“We believe that Nigeria especially its young people are its greatest resource and they can produce a more prosperous future for Nigerians, one that is less dependent on a single commodity, one that is capable of inventing new products and services that will be attractive in markets around the world, producing the growth, jobs and incomes that will enable Nigeria to take its rightful place among the leading nations of the world.
“we believe in you and by aiding Field of Skills and Dreams, and other local organizations, we are demonstrating our confidence in what Nigerians can accomplish, ” he said.
The founder and CEO, Field of Skills and Dreams VTE Academy, Ogunrinde Omowale advised vocational training centres to employ the right quality, well equipped hands-on tools and curriculum to meet the needs of students and individuals.
According to her, “The reason Nigerians want to acquire a skill is because they want to get out of unemployment or poverty, they want the income that will be generated to be sustainable, to be able to feed the individual and family but we see a lot of upcoming vocationally training centres who cannot even afford quality training to those who are coming to them. This needs to change.”
Themed, ‘Greater Heights,” the 4th edition of the Conference for Emerging Entrepreneurs, which was organised by Consulate General in Lagos in collaboration with the Field of Skills and Dreams (FSD) VTE Academy, had a total of 105 participants who will be trained on four entrepreneurship sectors of technology, agriculture, confectionary, fashion and style.