Speaking to journalists at the maiden edition of Faith Iyowuna Ikekhide Foundation (FIIF), Engr. Robert Oloyede, Public Relations and Media of FIIF said the skill acquisition and Lagos Children Empowerment Programme has empowered about 3500 children in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG).
The initiative will end poverty and improve quality of students that are graduating from secondary schools.
“Our main target is the SSS3 students. It might be difficult for all of them to gain admission into higher institution at the same time. FIIF has decided to be able to empower the children in advance to assist the society in order to take them out of social vices that the country is experiencing and across the globe.”
Oloyede pointed out that Nigeria faces terrorism majorly because of out of school children are largely contributing negatively to the economy. “Where there is no rest, there cannot be no economy growth. Today, we are excited because well over 3500 children will be empowered right here today.”
“We are empowering them in skill acquisition, not only empowering them; we will follow them up to ensure that they practice what they have learnt.”
It is a laudable project which is important because the children will impact the society positively. “Definitely, if you do not empower the children of nobody today, the children of somebody will be negatively impacted by the children you decided not to impact.”
“That is why we are here today which is the first edition of FIIF and it will be done in May 2023 so that the foundation can achieve another laudable feat.”
FIIF desires to take the programme across Nigeria which will be replicated. Since it is the maiden edition, the intention is to ensure that the programme is replicated across the country which is the reason for soliciting for partners.
According to Engr. Oloyede, the foundation coordinated with the principals of the schools in attendance and engages Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) buses to ensure the safety of the children. The buses were positioned in the schools premises to convey them to the venue.
They were well sanitized as necessary Covid-19 protocols were observed. Security officers were also stationed in the schools to monitor the students on transit to and from the venue and ensure that the same number of those who attended the programme is monitored by their various principals.
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