Lagos Empowers 100 With Market-Driven Skills

The Lagos State Government has trained and graduated 100 young Lagosians in Event Planning and Management as part of efforts to equip youths with practical, market-driven skills for employment, entrepreneurship and wealth creation.

Disclosed on it’s X handle on Tuesday, the beneficiaries were celebrated at the maiden edition of the Event Planning and Management Training Graduation Ceremony held on Monday at the Adeyemi-Bero Auditorium, Alausa, Ikeja, with the theme, “From Passion to Profession: Unlocking Opportunities in Event Planning.”

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Speaking at the ceremony, Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Akinyemi Bankole Ajigbotafe, said the programme, organised in collaboration with Zapphire Training School, was designed to harness the creativity and entrepreneurial potential of young Lagosians.

“The programme was designed to harness the passion, creativity and entrepreneurial potential of young Lagosians and translate them into sustainable livelihoods,” Ajigbotafe said.

He noted that the events industry had evolved into a dynamic and competitive economic sector requiring creativity, professionalism, effective organisation, digital competence and financial discipline.

According to him, the sector offers significant opportunities for young people to build rewarding careers, establish businesses and create employment for others.

Delivering the keynote address, Chairman of the House Committee on Wealth Creation and Employment, Stella Olufunke Osafile, urged the graduates to regard event planning as more than a creative pursuit, describing it as a viable profession and business opportunity.

“Passion must be complemented by relevant knowledge, discipline, professionalism and continuous learning,” Osafile said, urging the graduates to move beyond seeking paid employment and position themselves as entrepreneurs and future employers of labour.

Managing Director/CEO of Zapphire Events, Funke Bucknor, said the training included practical internship experience alongside professional event teams.

“The practical exposure equipped the beneficiaries with experience in event planning, production, coordination and on-site management,” Bucknor said.

She described the events industry as a viable and growing sector capable of generating businesses, careers and employment opportunities across various value chains, including event planning, catering, logistics, photography, production, entertainment and hospitality.