By Shodunke Qudus

The Lagos State Youth Ambassadors, Lagos Division under leadership of Amb. Shodunke Qudus organised the first edition of the “Eko Youth Summit” which took place on 20th, August, 2022 at the Impact Hub (LAGOS).

The “Eko Youth Summit” in honour of “World Youth Skills Day,” acknowledge the strategic importance of equipping young people with the skills necessary for employment, respectable work, and entrepreneurship.

The “Eko Youth Summit” offer a special chance of communication among young people, businesses, employers’ and workers’ organisations, technical and vocational education and training institutions, and policymakers.

PURPOSE:
“Eko Youth Summit” will be placed to help address these challenges by reducing access barriers to the world of work, ensuring that skills gained are recognised and certified, and offering skills development opportunities for out-of-school youth and those not in employment, education or training.

TARGET AUDIENCE:
50 qualified Students (Penultimate, Finalist and Fresh Graduate Students in Lagos State) – Qualification will be based on application.
THEME, DATE, VENUE AND TIME:
The theme of the program is “Transforming Youth skills for the Future”

GOALS:
We believe that by the time this project is finished, we will have not only discussed the problems that young people face every day, but also offered practical solutions.

We recognize the value of practice and innovation in addition to the importance of knowledge, which is why we will give at least 70% of these youths the opportunity to practice their preferred skills, whether online or in person.

We established connections between organizations and businesses interested in offering attendees of this event tutoring, mentoring, and internship opportunities, some of which will be in the fields of entrepreneurship, soft skills, and concurrent digital skills.

WHY IT’S IMPORTANCE:
Given your unmatched passion for recognizing and rewarding excellence in all spheres of life, as well as your unwavering interest in and support for education, we feel it is essential to ask for your attendance at the event. We are confident that your presence will significantly inspire the students to work harder and perform brilliantly in all of their endeavours. The event promises to be not only fascinating but also educational and entertaining.

PERSONALITIES IN ATTENDANCE:
MR. OLUSEGUN DAWODU, Honourable Commissioner, Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development (CHIEF HOST)
HON.LEKAN FATODU, Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Governor on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) (KEYNOTE SPEAKER)
DR. HAKEEM ONASANYA, Special Adviser to the Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) (GUEST SPEAKER)

HON ODUNUGA TUNDE (H.O.T.), Convener Uniting Forces (Fmr. UN Ambassador) (GUEST SPEAKER) TIMI OLAGUNJU, tech lawyer/ policy consultant (PANELIST)
Dr. EKWOABA, Joy Onyinyechi, Lecturer, Department of Employment Relations and Human Resource Management, Faculty of Management Sciences, University of Lagos, Nigeria. (PANELIST)
DAMILOLA OYEDIRAN, Founder, Side Hustle.

(PANELIST)
AMB. SOWEMIMO ABIODUN, CEO, CapitalMetriQ, InfoMetriQ/President Africa Chamber of Innovation (SPECIAL GUEST OF
HONOUR)
HON. OLANREWAJU SULEIMAN AFINNI (SPECIAL GUEST OF HONOUR)
CHIEF GANIYU OLALEKAN BAKARE, Aro Oba Elegushi Of Ikate Kingdom & Environ (SPECIAL GUEST OF HONOUR)