In a commendable effort to promote youth development, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member Israella Njasi has successfully empowered over 60 boys in Lokoja, Kogi State, with practical entrepreneurial skills. Through a three-month Community Development Service (CDS) initiative, Njasi provided the participants with training in catering, barbing, customization techniques, and the production of household items such as liquid soap, disinfectants, and perfume.
The project culminated in a ceremony at Crowther Memorial College, Lokoja, where the boys showcased their newly acquired skills. The initiative received high praise from Mrs. Eunice Abimbola, Founder of the Challenged Parenthood Initiative, who described it as a significant step toward addressing stereotypes about boys while providing them with essential tools for self-reliance and business success.
Njasi, inspired by the need to focus on the often-overlooked boy child, emphasized that the project was motivated by the increasing prevalence of internet fraud and gender-based violence involving boys. She noted that such programs are vital to steering boys away from negative influences and toward productive opportunities.
Barrister OlaYinka Obiesesan, representing the NYSC State Coordinator, commended Njasi’s efforts and underscored the importance of skill acquisition in combating youth unemployment and promoting entrepreneurship. He encouraged the participants to channel their skills into legitimate ventures and explore multiple streams of income.
At the event, start-up kits and certificates were distributed to the boys, symbolizing the beginning of their entrepreneurial journeys. Many of the participants expressed gratitude for the program, sharing that it had provided them with hope and prepared them for future opportunities.
