Bukola Afeni
The Office of the Special Assistant to the President on Capacity Development, in partnership with Stability and Sustenance, has commenced a Capacity Development Training Initiative to transform the talents and skills of young Nigerians into sustainable income-generating ventures.
The Special Assistant to the President on Capacity Development, Sadiq Rabiu, disclosed this at a press briefing in Abuja.
According to Rabiu, the strategic partnership is aimed at empowering Nigerians by equipping them with the tools and knowledge to transform their talents and skills by improving national development and self-reliance.
He added that the Federal Government is set to empower one million Nigerians across all six geopolitical zones.
“Our collective goal remains clear, which is to equip Nigerians with practical, scalable, and future-ready skills that can convert raw talent into thriving businesses and sustainable livelihoods.”
In the same vein, he said the program is focusing greatly on talent and skill monetization for small and micro businesses.
The Founder of Stability and Sustenance, Melody Fidel Okwuaza, said the ongoing National Capacity Development Training Initiative is a laudable program that will enhance the capacity of young Nigerians.
“We are here to bridge the unemployment gap in the economy and also provide support through following up with skilled and talented young Nigerians in the country”, he said.
Fidel further highlighted that the partnership is sustainable and recipients are usually supported through mentoring and allocation of grants.
He said there are currently ongoing projects in 3 states where more than 20,000 students and 400 SMEs across all boards are being taught talents and skills acquisition.
An Upcycle Artist, John Edom, shared his success story of benefitting from the partnership between the Office of the Special Assistant to the President on Capacity Development and Stability and Sustenance.
“The platform provides mentorship, training, and financial support to entrepreneurs and artists, helping them to grow their businesses and achieve their goals.
“Knowledge is bigger than money, and I have gained so much knowledge from this platform as well as monetary grants.”
He praised the platform’s holistic approach, stating, “They don’t abandon you, they follow you up in your business and ensure that there is accountability and that you are doing what you are meant to do.”
Chisom Rita Afiukwa, a fibre artist, said she has been able to scale her business through the mentorship program.
“I have been able to gain a lot of insight into how business works in the real business world.
I also benefited from soft grants, which I used judiciously to grow my business”, she said.
The fibre artist advised other Nigerians to take advantage of the Stability and Sustenance platform.
“It’s a platform that gives you mentorship, training, ideas everything for free, and you just have to benefit in the long run,” Chisom said.
