Alliance of Female Professional Mentors and Business Leaders(ABPW) has announced the launch of a transformational initiative by a group of Nigerian women leaders aimed at supporting the youths to create a country they all desired.
The movement, the Youth Connect Initiative, is birthed on the first anniversary of an epochal event in the history of the nation.
“On this day, a year ago, after weeks of peaceful protests by our youths, patriotic Nigerians watched in horror as defenceless youths of Nigeria, under the banner of the EenSARS movement, were allegedly attacked by security forces during a peaceful protest against police brutality, harassment and extortion in the country. The fallout of this event called for transparency and good governance.
“To commemorate one year since the peaceful EndSARS protests, ABPW is launching its Youth Connect Initiative by which it will be equipping youths from underprivileged communities with skills to provide gainful employment.
“This project is designed to prepare ‘un(der)employed’ young men and women from disadvantaged communities for the job market with an emphasis on technology, connecting them to job opportunities while inspiring them to undertake their civic responsibilities. The programme will provide among others, employability skills, entrepreneurship, vocational and personal development. The project will commence in Lagos in January 2022 and progress to other states.
“The project is targeted at participants in the 18-30 age bracket, who must fulfil entry criteria, including evidence of belonging to a community-based organisation and provide references from religious organisations they belong to or a past employer, or educational establishment.”
According to APBW Governance Board Chairman, Toyin Sanni, “the Youth Connect Initiative is a most-fitting way to turn a most painful memory into something good for our youths who have for decades been ignored, marginalised, oppressed and economically excluded by providing employability solutions to aid entrepreneurship and also provide employment opportunities, working with institutional partners.
“Our ultimate goal is to establish end to end job creation, creating a cadre of skilled and engaged youths with strong sense of civic responsibilities.”
More information about the Youth Connect Initiative and the ABPW can be found in www.abpwomen.org.”
The ABPW was set up in response to the need for our teeming youths to be recognised as valued contributors to economic and social development, particularly those classified as ‘disadvantaged’.
“To do this, we will be equipping youths from underprivileged communities with skills to provide them with opportunities towards gainful employment.
“Our mission is to facilitate access to economic and social opportunities for our young men and women through acquisition of skill building for the future, mentorship programmes, and industry partnerships and enabling youths engagement in governance.
“Our first project: The Youth Connect Initiative aims to create this impact.
“This project will connect youths to training opportunities and job market skills, with a strong emphasis on technology and character.
