Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies (MINILS), on Monday trained 500 youths on entrepreneurship skills.
The training was held at MINILS campus,Ilorin, with youths across the Six Geo-political zone in the country present.
The Director General of MINILS, Ilorin, Comrade Issa Aremu, said the rationale behind the training was to promote employability of youths in the country.
Aremu said beyond certificates,youths in the country need vocational and entrepreneurship skills.
The DG said the youths will be trained on Cinematography & Photography, Carpentry &Wood work, Tie &Dye to help instill in them skills to be self employed.
He said the institute organized the training to complement President Bola Tinubu 8 points agenda on Youths empowerment, job creation, economic growths and others.
“We are diversifying our training beyond traditional courses of maintaining peace and harmony to massive job creation through skills acquisition.
“It is time for our youths to think beyond white collar jobs and add more value. That is the reason we are training and retraining them for a better future.
“We want to ensure youths have the skills that when they leave school,they become employers of labour and also become employable,” he said.
He also added there was no discrimination in the selection of participants as it was gender mix and free of bias.
The D-G said the participants apart from skills acquired, will be compensated with some financial benefits as their transport allowance and attendee.
Aremu called on the government to create enabling environment for business to thrive in the country by providing support and equipments needed by entrepreneurs and artisans.
He also added that the institute has partnered with NIPDA, ILO, SMEDAN and other organizations to continue to empower the youth in the country.
He however advised the participants to take the training serious and be focused through out their 5 days training program.
The CEO of LUBCON , Alhaji Jani Ibrahim, also advised the participants to embrace the opportunity and learn new skills.
Ibrahim advised the participants not to rely on their certificate alone and tap into the training program to move towards greatness.
“There is no knowledge is waste. This is a big opportunity to learn new things as a youth. Never stop trying to learn new skills. It will become a big advantage to you, ” he advised.
The Ag. Head of Department (HOD), Entrepreneurship Development Department of the Institute, Mr Ajayi Adeyemi advised the participants to be focus and use the experience aquire in training to turn things around.
Adeyemi urged the participants to be a good ambassador of the country and not be selfish.
“Don’t be lazy. You are in your productive age. Grab the opportunity and explore,” he said.
