Change Agents

RANDOM THOTS

To some, change means a false mantra bandied about carelessly by insincere politicians. To others, it is a way of conforming to realities in a harsh environment. And yet to another set of people, change embodies making a difference in the lives of others via personal efforts.

Whichever explanation one may choose, change simply signifies a departure from the norm, either positively or negatively. And in Nigeria, nowhere is this better showcased than in Lagos State, which contributes a huge chunk to the internal revenue of the country, and where millions now contribute to the informal sector of the economy more through acquired skills and services than via formal white-collar jobs.

Thanks to a laudable scheme initiated by the innovative Lagos State Government, more than 17 entrepreneurial centres are daily equipping youngsters and unemployed youths with skills in hair-dressing, tailoring, barbing, computer, photography, hat and bead-making, catering, bag craft e.t.c.

These skill centres, located in nearby and far-flung places like Agege, Ayobo, Badagry, Egan, Ejigbo, Egbeda, Iba, Ibeju-Lekki, Igbooye Epe, Ikorodu, Ilase, Isheri, Kosofe, Lagos Island, Mushin, Shibiri and Surulere, have between 150 and 300 apprentice/students each, who are taught the various skills free of charge by some department heads, under different principals.

However, the real change agents who impart priceless knowledge on the various skills to the thousands of empowered students are certainly not having the best of times, with the mere N30,000 pittance government is paying them monthly, which cannot cater for the needs of breadwinners in present times.

For the volume of efforts these tutors and department heads put into making these centres such success stories, Lagos State government surely ought to pay them better stipends. They are the true change agents and surely deserve a better life…don’t they?

– Abimbola Akosile