Jare Olukotun
The Executive Chairman of Imota Local Council Development Area, Hon. Benson Sunday Ayodele(BSA), has partnered the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) to empower Imota youths.
As part of his administration’s commitment to youths development, the council partnered the LSETF to organise a 2-day capacity-building programme, aimed at equipping young people with life-changing entrepreneurial and vocational skills. The initiative, held at the CDA Hall, Agudungbun, Imota, attracted hundreds of participants from across the council area.
Speaking during the opening of the training, Hon. Benson Sunday Ayodele described the programme as a strategic investment in the future of Imota youths, stressing that sustainable community development can only be achieved when young people are equipped with the knowledge, skills, and opportunities needed to thrive.
He noted that the initiative aligns with his administration’s agenda of promoting self-reliance, job creation, and economic inclusion.
The council boss commended the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) for collaborating with the local government to bring impactful training to the grassroots.
According to him, “The partnership reflects a shared vision of reducing unemployment and empowering aspiring entrepreneurs, artisans, farmers, transporters, market men and women, and other small business owners with practical skills capable of improving their livelihoods.”
The lead facilitators from LSETF, Mr. Samson Oduegwu, took participants through intensive sessions on business development, financial literacy, digital entrepreneurship, customer relations, branding, business registration, access to funding opportunities, and effective business management.
The interactive sessions also exposed participants to emerging economic opportunities and practical strategies for building sustainable enterprises.
Speaking on behalf of LSETF in Imota LCDA, Mr. Lukman Akomolafe reiterated the agency’s commitment to supporting the growth of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) across Lagos State through capacity building, access to finance, and business advisory services.
He encouraged participants to make the best use of the knowledge acquired by embracing innovation, resilience, and continuous learning in their entrepreneurial pursuits.
The Head of the Agriculture and Social Services Department in Imota LCDA, Mr. Bakare S.O., applauded the Executive Chairman for prioritising human capital development. He noted that empowering young people with practical skills remains one of the most effective approaches to tackling unemployment, reducing poverty, and promoting inclusive socio-economic development within the council.
Also contributing to the training, Mrs. Alebiosu O., facilitated practical sessions on the production of home essentials, where participants received hands-on training on the production of household products with commercial value.
She encouraged beneficiaries to leverage the acquired skills to establish sustainable businesses and create additional sources of income.
Participants expressed appreciation to Hon. Benson Ayodele and LSETF for creating an avenue to acquire valuable knowledge capable of transforming their personal and professional lives. Many described the programme as timely, noting that the insights gained would enhance their entrepreneurial capacity, improve productivity, and position them for greater economic success.
The programme concluded with renewed optimism among participants, many of whom pledged to apply the skills acquired to establish and expand successful businesses.
