The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, John Owan Enoh, has restated the commitment of the ministry to support youths with skills that will boost entrepreneurship and employability.
He made this known during the third edition of the National Sewing Championship held in Abuja over the weekend. The event was organised by the Ladi Memorial Foundation in partnership with the Destiny Messengers Ministry International. Representing the minister at the occasion, a director from the ministry said the government would continue to encourage initiatives that give young Nigerians the opportunity to showcase the country’s rich heritage and contribute to national development.
Speaking at the programme, the Chief Executive Officer of the Destiny Messengers Ministry International, Dr Pastor Israel Olajumoke, explained why his organisation partnered with the Ladi Foundation to donate 54 brand new tailoring machines. According to him, the decision was inspired by his personal journey and passion to fight poverty. “I have been there before; I came from poverty. My scripture told me that if I am blessed, I would be a blessing to others,” he said.
The Executive Director of the Ladi Memorial Foundation, Rosemary Ojochelemi Oshikoya, described the vision of the sewing championship as a platform to impart functional skills and promote national unity.
She said the two-week boot camp brought together children from across Nigeria. “Imagine children coming from Borno, and different parts of the country to the nation’s capital, not to debate religion or our differences like the languages, but to compete on skills, which are generic,” she stated.
In his advice to the participants, the Vice Chairman of the foundation, Engr Kashim Ali, urged them to take their training seriously. He encouraged them to use the experience as a foundation to either return to school for further studies or to start building a sustainable business.