…Alliance for Youth Nigeria is investing in young Nigerians, equipping them with the right skills, and information to thrive and succeed in the world of work – Uwadoka
Olushola Okunlade Writes
Alliance for Youth Nigeria equips youth across the country for employment
Over 200 fresh graduates across Nigeria have received employability skills training facilitated by the Alliance for Youth Nigeria. The training comprised Building Winning Resumes, Career Positioning, Personal Brand Marketing, Personal Effectiveness, Time Management, and Starting the Career Journey among others.
In addition, the best performers will benefit from internship and mentoring opportunities in the six companies that form part of the Alliance. At the end of the training, some participants of the training also had the unique opportunity of partaking in job interviews and placements, progressing on their career journeys.
Left-Right: Mrs. Omomene Odike, CEO, U-Connect Human Resources Limited Edidiong Peters, Public Affairs Specialist, Nestlé Nigeria PLC Victoria Uwadoka, Corporate Communications, and Public Affairs Manager, Nestlé Nigeria PLC; Second Row Left-Right: Oyinlola Lawal, Youth Engagement Analyst, Jobberman Nigeria Damilola Odubanjo, Learning, and Development Associate, Jobberman Nigeria Olugbenga Alabi, Category and Marketing Manager, Coffee, Nestlé Nigeria PLC Uche Aso, Head, Learning and Development, U-Connect Human Resources Limited Lanre Coleman, Head, Recruitment and Outsourcing, U-Connect Human Resources Limited.
Launched in August 2021, the Alliance is a business-driven movement of organizations passionate about working together to help young people around the country get the necessary skills to thrive in the world of work. Members of the Alliance for Youth Nigeria include Nestlé Nigeria, Jobberman Nigeria, Sterling One Foundation, Big Bottling Company, the United Nations Global Compact Network Nigeria, and U-Connect HR Limited, with Lagos State Employment Trust Fund and Activate Success International as partner organizations.
The member and partner organizations have positioned themselves to invest in joint and individual projects to give young Nigerians meaningful work experience, internships, readiness-for-work training, and mentoring opportunities in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 8 – to promote sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all by 2030.
The employability skills training is one of the projects of the Alliance designed to meet the target of reaching more than 250,000 young Nigerians with employability and entrepreneurial skills to enable them to secure gainful employment or set up businesses of their own within 3 years. This objective, which was announced during the launch of the Alliance, is in line with their commitment to work together to address the challenges of youth unemployment in the country with the associated social and economic impact.
Tosin Babasanya-Craig, Country Manager, Performance Fact Inc. facilitating one of the Alliance for Youth Nigeria sessions to equip youth across the country for employment.
Speaking at the opening session of the training, Victoria Uwadoka, Corporate Communications, and Public Affairs Manager, Nestlé Nigeria PLC said, “I am delighted that yet again, the Alliance for Youth Nigeria is investing in young Nigerians, equipping them with the right skills and information to thrive and succeed in the world of work. At Nestlé, we believe that society cannot thrive if we fail to offer a future for the young generations. The Alliance will continue to work together with other stakeholders in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 8 in fulfilling the huge target we have committed to and I encourage young people around the country to take advantage of the available opportunities”.
Also speaking at the training, Mrs. Omomene Odike, CEO U-Connect Human Resources Limited, congratulated the youth for their interest and dedication to achieving their career and business goals demonstrated by their participation in the training. She further highlighted the value-adding opportunity of job interviews and placements provided by her organization for participants of the training, urging them to take maximum advantage of the offer.
According to Innih Ikhide, Youth Engagement, and Learning Manager Jobberman Nigeria, “Jobberman is dedicated to creating increased pathways for young people to access dignified livelihoods for a better Nigeria”.
For Naomi Nwokolo, Executive Director, United Nations Global Compact Network Nigeria, “The active engagement of youth in sustainable development efforts is central to achieving sustainable, inclusive, and stable societies by the year 2030, and averting the worst threats and challenges to sustainable development, including the impacts of unemployment. The beneficiaries of the training have shown a willingness to improve their skills and attain professional development and are now more equipped for successful participation in job recruitment processes”.
On behalf of other participants, Adasa Okandiji, commended the member companies for the excellent upskilling platform provided to equip and better position young Nigerians for a productive career, now and in the future. She expressed her readiness and that of other participants, to fully utilize the value-adding information obtained in creating their desired future. She also called on youth across the country to be deliberate about seeking out and taking advantage of existing opportunities, particularly that provided by the Alliance.
Task Systems Limited, a pioneering force in the West African Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector, has announced the appointment of Mrs. Gozy Ijogun as its new Managing Director effective April 1, 2023.
Gozy Ijogun, known for her transformative leadership, has a rich professional history in the digital technology realm. At the age of 25, armed with a degree in Chemistry from University College London and a Master of Science degree in Accounting, Organizations, and Institutions from the London School of Economics, Gozy made a significant impact on the digital landscape of Nigeria by setting up TD-Mobile, Nigeria’s first structured mobile devices distribution company. She propelled the company to generate a substantial N38 billion in revenue within its first year of operation, guiding the organization from its initial team of seven to become TD Africa Distributions Ltd., now a dominant player in technology distribution in sub-Saharan Africa, representing more than 25 top global brands and introducing a plethora of ICT solutions that consolidated its standing as a solutions-focused tech firm.
“Gozy’s proven leadership, strategic acumen, and passion for technology make her the perfect fit for Task Systems Ltd,” Leo Stan Ekeh, Chairman of Task Systems Ltd said. “Her impressive track record and innovative vision align seamlessly with our growth trajectory. We are excited to usher in this new era under her stewardship.”
Mrs. Gozy Ijogun, New Managing Director.
Reflecting on her appointment, Gozy said, “I’m honoured to join Task Systems, a company that has consistently been at the forefront of tech innovation. We have a remarkable opportunity to grow and become Africa’s leading integrated technology and services company, and I am enthusiastic about leading Task Systems into this future.”
Besides her commercial accomplishments, Mrs. Ijogun is also deeply committed to social change. She was instrumental in launching “This is Me”, a Corporate Social Responsibility initiative championed by TD Africa to aid individuals and uplift their dignity.
With 36 years of industry leadership, Task Systems has consistently provided innovative ICT solutions across various industries, including oil, banking, media, manufacturing, and the public sector. The company has received over 27 global awards for its exceptional contributions.
With the visionary leadership of Mrs. Ijogun, Task Systems is poised for unprecedented growth and success.
Know About Task Systems Ltd: For over three decades, Task Systems has been a pioneer in the tech sector, introducing revolutionary ICT solutions across a broad spectrum of industries. Known for its trailblazing contributions, Task Systems remains a significant player in providing support solutions to numerous Nigerian companies.
Employees of Airtel Nigeria, under its CSR initiative, Employee Volunteer Scheme Initiative, paid a visit to Kuramo College, a government secondary school in Lagos, and donated modern routers, each equipped with 100GB of data and a two-month roll-over access fee.
The connection devices were donated by Airtel’s Information and Technology team, with a mission to empower students with enhanced digital connectivity.
Speaking during the event, Director, Information and Technology, Seun Solanke, said, “Airtel aims to empower young minds by equipping them with the connectivity to imagine and unlock a world of knowledge and opportunities.
“For Airtel, it is no longer about being a smartphone network but giving people a reason to imagine, so that people can explore the possibilities powered by technology and connectivity. The world is evolving, young Nigerians now have access to unlimited possibilities and can now create their own job titles and descriptions, which is why we now have YouTubers, social media Influencers, and the likes.”
Left-Right: Head of IT Operations, Airtel Nigeria, Adebanjo Adeola; Head of Information Security & Business Continuity (IT CISO), Airtel Nigeria, Joy Omoruku; Director, Information and Technology, Airtel Nigeria, Seun Solanke; Principal, Kuramo Senior College, Abdulwahab Babatunde Lawal and Head of Project Release Management, Airtel Nigeria, Akinkunle Oyafajo during the presentation of Routers to Kuramo college in Victoria Island, Lagos, on Wednesday, 24th May 2023.
Left-Right: Head of IT Operations, Airtel Nigeria, Adebanjo Adeola; Senior Manager, Corporate Social Responsibility, Airtel Nigeria, Chioma Okolie; Head of Information Security & Business Continuity (IT CISO), Airtel Nigeria, Joy Omoruku; Director, Information and Technology, Airtel Nigeria, Seun Solanke; Principal, Kuramo Senior College, Abdulwahab Babatunde Lawal and Head of Project Release Management, Airtel Nigeria, Akinkunle Oyafajo during the presentation of Routers to Kuramo college in Victoria Island, Lagos, on Wednesday, 24th May 2023.
He concluded by encouraging the students to maximize the provision of connectivity to back up their future imaginations with the right information and resources, in other to ensure a bright future.
The activities under the Airtel Nigeria Employee Volunteer Scheme, said Airtel management, aligns with the company’s commitment to bridging the digital divide in the country and enabling students to leverage the power of the internet, as the distribution of routers with data plans will ensure that students have uninterrupted access to educational resources, research materials, and online learning platforms, regardless of their socio-economic background.
Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC, a member of Standard Bank Group, announced the names of fortunate recipients of its prestigious University Scholarship Award for 2022.
The N80,000,000.00 valued scholarship award for 2022 will provide financial support to 200 outstanding Nigerian undergraduates who excelled in the 2022 University Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and satisfied other prerequisite conditions.
The scholarship funds will be disbursed in annual installments over the course of four academic years and will provide recipients with the essential financial assistance required to meet their educational expenses. Subsequent disbursements will be contingent upon the beneficiaries fulfilling certain criteria. These criteria include maintaining their enrollment in the universities and degree programs to which they were admitted, as well as adhering to the academic and administrative policies set forth by their respective institutions. By ensuring compliance with these requirements, the recipients can continue to receive the scholarship throughout their academic journey, facilitating their uninterrupted pursuit of higher education.
While he gave his opening remarks at the virtual award ceremony, the Chief Executive of Stanbic IBTC Holdings, Dr. Demola Sogunle, said, “At Stanbic IBTC, we recognize the importance of education and its role in shaping the future of our great nation, Nigeria. Our principal objective for this scholarship is to provide unlimited opportunities for bright, young Nigerians who have demonstrated academic merit.”
He further mentioned that the number of annual scholarship recipients was increased from 100 to 200, as education should not be a luxury reserved for a select few but accessible to all.
The selection process for the scholarships was rigorous and fair, with beneficiaries chosen from each of the six geo-political zones in Nigeria. The candidates were carefully evaluated based on merit, taking into account their exceptional academic performance.
By investing in the academic journeys of these exceptional students, the leading end-to-end financial institution will not only make a difference in their lives but also contribute to the development and prosperity of the nation as a whole.
The 200 scholarship recipients will be able to pursue their dreams with financial confidence, knowing that Stanbic IBTC will stand firmly by their side.