PROGRAMS AND EVENTS

U.S. Diplomatic Mission to Nigeria Launches joint Youths Skills Development Program with LEAP Africa and Microsoft

Date: February 25, 2008
Venue: American Corner, Abuja

Ambassador Sanders (c) presents a symbolic check to LEAP Executive Director Mosun Layode. Right is Jummai Umar-Ajijola, Citizenship manager, Microsoft Nigeria. | Full size

The U.S. Diplomatic Mission to Nigeria has launched a joint Youths Skills Development Program with LEAP Africa and Microsoft Nigeria to provide training on information, communications technology and other critical skills to over 2500 Nigerian Youth.

“Investing in Nigeria’s youth is especially critical for building a better future,” says Ambassador Robin Reneé Sanders. 

Under this public private initiative the United States Government is presenting LEAP Africa, an organization inspiring, empowering and equipping a new cadre of African leaders, with $70,000 to help provide Nigerian youth with work-based experience including information and communications training. The $70,000 grant will fund four five-day life and leadership training workshops for 400 youth total in Bauchi and Kano States to give them a sense of what is required to succeed in the workplace. 

Emphasizing that “Investing in People is one of the cornerstones of the U.S. Mission’s activities in Nigeria,” Ambassador Sanders recalled that the Chief Bole Ige Information Technology Center, which hosted the Youth Skills Development Program launch was funded by the U.S. Government on behalf of the American people under the African Education Initiative, a program to strengthen the educational systems and promote democratic processes through linkages with the United States. 

According to Mosun Layode, Executive Director, LEAP Africa, who spoke at the program and who received a symbolic check from Ambassador Sanders, “Given our status as a non profit organization with limited resources, we appreciate the importance of collaborations with individuals and other organizations that share our vision and are committed to effecting positive change in society. As a result, we are delighted to collaborate with the United States Government, Microsoft and the International Youth Foundation to launch the Employability Programme.”

Microsoft Nigeria is contributing its Unlimited Potential to the program, transforming education, fostering local innovation, and enabling jobs and opportunities. 

“Nigerians are very hard working and resourceful people, but many do not have the right kind of training to compete in the work environment,” says Jummai Umar-Ajijola, Citizenship manager for Microsoft Nigeria who also spoke at the program.

She said Microsoft is committed to working with the government and other stakeholders to equip the Nigerian youth with the skills that will enable them make great contributions towards building a sustainable community in conjunction with others.

The program was hosted by the Chief Bole Ige Information Technology Center, located at the Women’s Development Center, Abuja. Center Director Manny Emecheta welcomed the guests and spoke about the Center’s partnership with Microsoft Nigeria.