By Abiodun Abegunde
The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Isolo local branch, in partnership with Isolo Local Council Development Authority (LCDA), has organised free on-demand crafts training for 34 young individuals in the area.
The Coordinator, NYCN, Mr Damilola Kushimo, said in a statement in Lagos on Thursday that the training was to commemorate 2026 ‘World Youth Skills Day’, with the theme: ‘Skills For A Shared Future’.
The training was held on Wednesday at Isolo Youth Centre.
Kushimo also said that the training was in furtherance of his administration’s commitment to equipping young individuals with crafts for self-reliance, and ultimately to enhance local economy.
He disclosed that the 34 participants were trained on either photography and videography, confectionery or soap making.
The coordinator said that the beneficiaries would have been more than 34, if schools were in session, but expressed delight at the impressive turnout.
“This is one of our own ways of complementing the efforts of Isolo LCDA under the qualitative leadership of Otunba Olasoju Adebayo, to better the lives of young individuals in our community.
“The training is as a result of the challenge given to the 57 local branches by the state chapter of NYCN, ably led by Mr Adigun Ibrahim, and it aligns with our administrative goals.
“Of the 34 participants that registered between Monday and Wednesday morning that the registration link was available, 18 put in for photography and Videography, 11 registered for confectionery and five others for soap making.
“Most of the participants are within age 15 to 30 years and are from various communities in Isolo, while some are from the neighbouring Ejigbo and Oshodi communities,” he said
Speaking further, the youth leader explained that the programme was made possible with the support of Isolo LCDA Chairman, Mr Adebayo Olasoju, the council’s Supervisor for Agric, Rural and Community Development, Mr Olamide Taiwo, among others.
“Beyond the training, we have made them understand the importance of having a skill in craft. Gone are the days when people condemn craft and skills and focus solely on formal education.
“Like this year’s theme says: ‘Skills For A Shared Future’, everyone needs a skill to contribute meaningfully to the actualisation of the future we all desire.
“We have told them to also brush up the skills because learning is continuum,” he said.
On her part, Choice Ukpai, the Assistant Public Relations Officer, NYCN Lagos State Chapter, who monitored the exercise commended the local branch and expressed satisfaction with the turnout and intensity of the trainings.
Aside from rigorous training and presentation of certificates, officials of Isolo LCDA’s branch of Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) were in attendance to discuss loan and grant opportunities with the participants.
One of the photography trainees, Fatimah AbdulRaheem; a Mass Communication Student who desired to go into photo journalism, appreciated the organiser.
AbdulRaheem said that the intensive training had further exposed her to the rudiments of photography. (NAN)
Edited by Florence Onuegbu