By Maureen Okon
Mr. Peter Hawkins, representative of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), said all 36 states in Nigeria and the CTF will benefit from his Generation Unlimited initiative.
The initiative which he says is supported by UNICEF and the government of Nigeria would also target girls and people with disabilities.
Speaking in an interview with the Nigerian News Agency (NAN) in Abuja on Sunday, Hawkins said 20 million people in all states are expected to benefit from the initiative by 2030.
He said Gen Unlimited aims to connect young people with entrepreneurship and employment opportunities, helping them to change the world for themselves and their communities.
“Nigeria, being Africa’s largest economy, has one of the largest youth populations in the world and a youth unemployment rate of around 37%, which represents an extraordinary opportunity for development and growth.
“It is with this in mind that Generation Unlimited is embarking on a mission to reach 20 million young people in 10 years, with quality education, skills, training, employment and entrepreneurial opportunities.
“The initiative will target girls and adolescent girls from underserved communities, including those living with disabilities in Africa’s largest economy,” he said.
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Hawkins explained that the program started on a pilot scale with two states as the first beneficiaries.
He added that six more states would follow in geopolitical areas, after which the initiative would be replicated in other states in Nigeria.
“The initiative is about states, so for the digital platform, the two states we’re focusing on right now are Lagos and Kano, and then we’re going to expand to six states in each of the geopolitical areas.
“Then other states like Edo which is fertile for the objectives of Generation Unlimited.
“This can allow us to put in place the platforms and architecture of Generation Unlimited for young people to go through a process of developing educational skills and entrepreneurship over the next 10 years.
“All 36 states would be involved in the initiative. It is not just for the federal level, but we are trying to reach people at the local level.
“So that we can engage young people in communities, local government areas, capitals and states to know the importance of Generation Unlimited. “
According to him, that’s why I mentioned Lagos and Kano, but all 36 states would be involved as we move forward, ”he said.
2 comments
People with disability should not be left behind, we want to feel loved, we want courage and care to keep moving
People with Disability need support so that to show the world that THERE’S PRODUCTIVITY IN DISABILITY!!!