NEWSNOW

Lagos to collaborate with stakeholders on youth empowerment — Sanwo-Olu

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Thursday, assured that his administration will continue to collaborate with organisations and individuals that promote initiatives aimed at empowering youths to be more productive and self-sustaining.

Sanwo-Olu gave the assurance at the maiden edition of the Chartered Institute of Bankers (CIBN) new youth development initiative, Generation Next Forum, themed: ‘Industry 5.0 Banking Revolution: Insights for Generation Next’, held at the Queens Park Events Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos

The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, said the commitment was underscored by the change in his administration’s development agenda acronym T.H.E.M.E.S to T.H.E.M.E.S Plus, which he said expressed renewed focus on gender equality, social inclusion and youth development.

“Our commitment is underscored by the change of our development agenda acronym T.H.E.M.E.S. to T.H.E.M.E.S.+. This plus expresses our renewed focus on gender equality, social inclusion and youth development,” he said.

Sanwo-Olu emphasised that Lagos, being the commercial hub of Nigeria and a leading financial center in Africa, had a unique role to play in embracing and leveraging Industry 5.0, assuring further that his government was committed to fostering an enabling environment that encourages growth and development of all the critical sectors, including the banking sector in the state.

The governor noted that Nigeria was blessed with a vibrant and dynamic young population with a median age of 18.1 years with approximately 70 per cent of the population being under the age of 30, affirming that the future truly belongs to the youth, and time now for the country to empower and prepare them to contribute meaningfully to the economic ecosystem.

He therefore, commended the Institute for its outstanding efforts in organizing the groundbreaking event, stressing that the “Generation Next Forum is not just a one-time affair; but the beginning of a journey towards a brighter and more prosperous future for our nation and its young generation.

“The Generation Next Forum is not about inspiring ideas only; it is about fostering collaboration and partnerships as it brings together the brightest minds in the industry, experienced professionals, and the youth to work hand in hand,” the governor asserted.

Sanwo-Olu, while urging the young bankers and finance professionals present at the forum to embrace change, being the cornerstone of progress, added that “the future belongs to those who dare to innovate, disrupt the status quo, and embrace the possibilities that come with new technologies, by seizing the moment as an opportunity to learn, unlearn, re-learn, grow, and position themselves as the future leaders.”

President/Chairman of Council, Ken Opara, in his opening remarks, stated that the forum was to provide a robust platform for stakeholders to examine the criticality of the Fifth Industrial Revolution and its impact on the banking and finance industry especially as it affects the young generation.

Opara noted the event marks a significant milestone in the Council’s relentless quest for excellence and innovative solutions within the banking and finance industry, adding: “In our pursuit of progress, we find ourselves at the cusp of a new era, one that has been termed the Fifth Industrial Revolution.”

He reiterated that the Fifth Industrial Revolution goes beyond the boundaries of technology and efficiency-driven practices, saying that it encompasses a profound paradigm shift that incorporates the principles of sustainability, human-centeredness, and concern for the environment.

Opara stressed that the Industrial Revolution was no longer solely on technological transformation but on harnessing human-machine collaborations for the well-being of multiple stakeholders, including employees, customers, organisations and society at large.

The highlight of the event was the unveiling of the 60th-anniversary emblem of the body by the governor.

READ ALSO FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE