Nagode Foundation Set to Partner FSD to Train Young Entrepreneurs

Ugo Aliogo, Chidinma Okonkwo and Blessing Nduka

Nagode Foundation is set to partner Field of Skills and Dreams (FSD) in empowering 20 youths in a six weeks training programme which will feature fashion designing, hair dressing, cake baking, catering, and electrical installations.

Speaking at the induction ceremony for the free training and provision of startup equipment unemployed persons, in Lagos organised by FSD, the Managing Director Nagode Industries, Sandeep Kapoor, lamented that the public and private sector have failed in tapping into the entrepreneurial spirit of Nigerians despite having a strong work force.

He remarked that small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) are strong creators of employment opportunities, therefore government should actively support the SME sector, while commending the FSD for organising the six weeks training programme.

Kapoor said as part of the foundation’s plan to support the training programme, it is investing N2million in order to help FSD surmount the huge financial challenges they may be facing in training the entrepreneurs.

“Since it is a six weeks programme, we hope to have another after this. The contribution has been done by the founder of our group through the foundation. Through, the foundation he devotes a certain amount of the profit of the group to worthy courses such as this. We are also supporting some other initiatives. We urge the entrepreneurs to remain focused and put their best.” he noted.

In her remarks, the Founder of FSD, Mrs. Omowale Ogunrinde, said that the academy began in 2003 as an idea to support teenagers in her local church, adding that she felt a longing to take the initiative to the larger society by engaging the youths.

She also stated that the goal of the academy has always been empowering people with skills in order to setup their own businesses or work in industries, while stressing that since inception they have focused on professional skills acquisition.

“The training programme organised by the academy is not a time wasting exercise. A one-week training programme will help trainee get knowledge on how to start their own businesses. The success stories are verifiable and they are amazing. We have been able to get partners that have sent us to Calabar, Kuje and Enugu. We have ensured that we organise similar trainings in all the locations we visit”, she stressed.

Ogunrinde further noted that the academy has ensured that the training is professional enough to bring a change in the status of the trainees.

She remarked that the six weeks training organised by the academy in partnership with Nagode foundation is aimed at removing 20 people from the street, train them in fashion designing, hair dressing, cake baking, catering, electrical installations for them to either get jobs or setup businesses of their own.

Ogunrinde added: “We organised very stringent interview process to ensure that they are truly privileged, they are passionate about what they want to do, and ensure that the startup kits they collect are put to good use. We mentor them and follow-up to make they are doing what they are expected to do. We work with various foundations to recruit these youths. We ensure that they go through our interview processes. We welcome any individual or group that is willing to sponsor these youths.”

Related Articles