Lagos targets 1 million youths for ICT empowerment

One million youths in Lagos State are to benefit from a partnership between the state government and a private organization with opportunities in the information and communications technology sector.

The Commissioner for Youths and Social Development, Mr Mobolaji Ogunlende stated this at a news briefing on activities of his ministry in the past year in Alausa, Ikeja.

Mr Ogunlende explained that the first cohort of two hundred and fifty thousand youths would begin training in a few weeks.

He said 67,804 public school children in Lagos have benefitted from advocacy including sexual abuse, physical and emotional abuse, drugs and cultism, among others in the past year.

The commissioner said 157 beggars, 295 destitute, 301 mentally challenged individuals were rescued, while 1,170 people were rehabilitated. He added that 3 orphanages were sealed in the last one year for various infractions.

On the recent repatriation of some people from Lagos State to their states of origin, the Commissioner said the people were assisted with money to live a better life elsewhere instead of sleeping rough in Lagos.

Mr Ogunlende said the security and safety of citizens of Lagos State were also considered in the decision to repatriate the people numbering four hundred and fifty.

The Commissioner discouraged people from coming to Lagos without a concrete survival plan, adding that while the state had many opportunities, it was important to have a support plan before coming into the state.

The ministry had held meetings with various groups, especially the Arewa community in Lagos, on how to stop begging and other vices.