Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode at the weekend urged the youths and entrepreneurs in the State to take full advantage of the N25billion Employment Trust Fund (ETF) initiative of his administration to grow their businesses and become self reliant.
Governor Ambode, who stated this in Agege while flagging off the One Lagos Fiesta, is an annual end of the year revue put together by the State Government, said the ETF was specifically designed by government to create greater opportunities for the youths to be gainfully engaged and contribute meaningfully to the growth of the State.
The Governor said over N6billion has already been earmarked to be disbursed annually through the ETF initiative, and that about N1billion of the fund will be pushed to the Agege division.
“I want to encourage all our youths because we are creating greater opportunities for all of you. I want you to take opportunity of applying for the Employment Trust Fund. We have monies already established to take care of your expertise. Those of you who are very creative; those of you who are artistic; those of you who are entrepreneurial in outlook; we have money that we will be ready to give to you to start your own business.
“We have earmarked over N6billion and we intend to push N1billion to this particular division. So, it is left for all of you to bring out your best. Whatever it is that you are doing, if you can’t get a white collar job, the ETF is there for you to help promote your business,” the Governor said.
While expressing the resolve of the State Government to use entertainment, arts and sports to promote tourism in the State, the Governor assured that his administration will continue to open up the tourism potential of the State with the view to getting the best from the youths.
To this end, the Governor said by 2017, government would construct an Art Theatre and a Cinema in Igando and also build five new Theatre Arts in Ikorodu, Ikeja, Lagos Mainland, Badagry and Epe to give greater opportunities to the youths.
He, however, urged the people to remain peaceful and shun any criminal activity.
