The Nigeria Youth Employment through Skills Acquisition Fund (NYESAF) officially launched a six-month baking and confectionery training programme for youths with disabilities and individuals from low-income backgrounds.
Held at the Masterminds Catering and Culinary Institute, the launch marked the beginning of a transformative journey for dozens of participants in the NYESAF IDEAS Project, which is in collaboration with SoftPal Communication and Support Services Limited and MasterMind Catering and Culinary Institute.
The event drew dignitaries from the public and private sectors, including Madam Blessing Ogwu, the national project coordinator of IDEAS under the Federal Ministry of Education; Dame Blessing Osemwota, the programme officer of NYESAF; and Mrs. Charlene Oghojafor, the managing partner of SoftPal CSSL. The training is part of the broader IDEAS Project, a skills development initiative the World Bank supports to expand employment opportunities for Nigerian youths through practical, market-relevant training.
In her remarks, Mrs Oghojafor reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to supporting inclusive empowerment through skill-based education. “This is more than just training. It’s about restoring dignity, creating economic pathways, and nurturing self-reliance in the most marginalised,” she said.
Also, Dame Blessing Osemwota highlighted the IDEAS Project’s alignment with national efforts to reduce unemployment. “With the right skills, our youths, regardless of their backgrounds, can thrive and contribute meaningfully to the economy,” she stated.
Addressing the gathering, Mrs Khadija Abiose-Fashina, Rector and CEO of Mastermind Institute, noted that the programme aims to equip trainees with technical skills in baking and instill personal development and entrepreneurial values. “A degree alongside a skill set sets you up for greatness. We’re here to train their hands and minds,” she added.
In a heartfelt moment, one of the beneficiaries, David Balogun, a visually impaired person with special needs, expressed gratitude to the sponsors and partners for the opportunity. “This means the world to us. I encourage others with special needs to take chances like this; it’s a real game-changer,” he said.
In closing, the organisers admonished the participants to give their best in the training and expressed appreciation to all partners, NYESAF, SoftPal CSSL, World Bank, and Mastermind Institute and to the guests, trainees, and support teams whose efforts made the event successful.
