As part of efforts targeted at alleviating poverty and empowering the youths in Lagos, Huawei Technologies Co. Nigeria Limited, in partnership with Fortis Projects Services, have donated a skill acquisition and development centre to the state.
Named after the wife of the First Military Governor of Lagos State, Funmilayo Mobolaji Johnson Skill Acquisition Centre, Huawei said the centre is designed as an alternative to white collar jobs.
The basic intention is to impact knowledge in various fields ranging from catering, hat and bead making, hairdressing, fashion designing, photography, fridge and air conditioner maintenance, leather works, wood and carpentry, adult literacy and computer studies.
According to the Sole Administrator of Eti-Osa East Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Prince Babatunde Ayo Ayeni, the centre represents an alternative means of livelihood for the people in the community.
Buttressing the point, the Executive Director at Fortis Group, Richard Dotun Adebayo, said the completion of the project marked the beginning of a new dawn for the young men and women of the local community.
“The project is here to empower you become all that you hope to become in life. You have the opportunities to break boundaries, cross the line and reach new heights,” he stated.
The special guest of honour, the wife of the Governor, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode, enjoined the people to put the facilities to good use so as to enjoy the place for a long time to come.
In his remarks, the Managing Director, Huawei Technologies, Frank Li, relayed his indelible experience with a young girl and her mother who lacked access to skill acquisition.
Li said it is this singular episode that continues to motivate him to help children and teenagers in the community at every opportunity.
Commenting, the State’s Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Mrs. Lola Akande, said she was honoured to be part of the commissioning of the Funmilayo Mobolaji Johnson Skill Acquisition centre named after the Wife of the First Military Governor of Lagos State. She opined that this investment in women empowerment and skills acquisition by the Lagos Sate Government, would enable the womenfolk contribute to the economic development of the nation.
She commended Huawei Technologies in partnership with Fortis Projects for the centre, and used the opportunity to urge all private organisations to follow suit.
The Chinese Consul to Nigeria, Chao Xiaoliang, described the centre as a bountiful blessing to the Nigerian people, and another monument of the friendship between Nigeria and China.
The Guardian
