The Executive Chairman of Ikeja Local Government, Comrade Akeem Olalekan Dauda (Akod), has unveiled the Ikeja Youth Master Plan, a comprehensive initiative designed to empower young people with skills, opportunities, and resources to thrive in today’s society.
Earlier this year, the council made history by engaging 250 youths in a holiday job program, enabling them to learn responsibility while productively earning an income of ₦20,000 each. The initiative, which was the first of its kind in Ikeja, was aimed at channeling youthful energy into meaningful work.
Speaking with Societal Concerns Media, Comrade Dauda explained that his one-on-one engagements with youths during the International Youth Day celebration inspired the rollout of the SkillUp Program. The scheme is set to equip Ikeja youths with 21st-century skills ranging from digital literacy to vocational training.
In addition, the chairman announced that 10 more students have been shortlisted, bringing the total to 210 beneficiaries of the free GCE forms initiative, which he personally bankrolled. He further disclosed that once schools resume, the council will distribute back-to-school kits to ease the financial burden on parents and support students in their studies.
Comrade Dauda also assured that more youth-focused incentives are in the pipeline, noting that education, empowerment, and skill development remain top priorities for his administration.
