Foundation to equip youths with skills

The Louis Awode Foundation (LAF) has announced plans to strengthen skills acquisition programmes aimed at preparing youths for emerging opportunities in the global workplace.

Its Founder, Mr. Louis Awode, said the organisation would roll out programmes from March next year to better equip young people with competencies required for future professions. According to him, the initiative is designed to enhance employability and improve living standards by aligning education with evolving labour market needs.

Awode disclosed that the foundation plans to train at least 500 youths in its first phase, using criteria such as skills fit, academic readiness, the future of work, and economic transformation. He explained that the approach would emphasise internships, project-based learning, entrepreneurship, and critical thinking, while also promoting stronger collaboration between the public and private sectors.

“Our goal is to equip Nigerians with the necessary skills to improve their prospects in the job market and ultimately secure a better life.Strong public-private partnerships are essential to bridge the gap between academia and the realities of today’s and tomorrow’s workplace,” Awode said.

In a related development, the Foundation recently distributed food items to female staff members of the Lagos State Waste Management Agency (LAWMA) working in waste collection and sanitation across the Surulere axis of Lagos. The outreach, tagged Touching Lives 1.0, was aimed at supporting women engaged in physically demanding and often underappreciated public service roles.

Awode noted that the beneficiaries were selected in recognition of their critical contribution to environmental hygiene and public health in Nigeria’s commercial capital. “These women rise before most of the city awakens, working tirelessly to clear dirt and debris to ensure a cleaner, safer, and more liveable city for all,” he said. “Despite the significance of their work, they often receive wages that do not fully reflect their contributions.”

He further highlighted the challenges faced by LAWMA workers, including health risks associated with waste collection, long hours of walking, heavy lifting, and exposure to sharp or hazardous objects. Many, he said, also contend with chronic pain, fatigue, and irregular wages, which make it difficult to meet basic family needs.

Several beneficiaries expressed gratitude to the foundation, describing the gesture as both timely and reassuring. One of them, who has worked with LAWMA for 16 years, shared her personal story of resilience after relocating from her village to Lagos in search of survival.

“When I came from the village, there was nothing to do and nowhere to turn to. It seemed as though all hope was lost, but I held on to God,” she recalled. “One day, while searching for a job, somebody referred me to LAWMA.”

Another beneficiary, Mrs. Titilayo, praised the foundation for recognising the efforts of sanitation workers whose contributions often go unnoticed. “I really appreciate the foundation for providing me with these items. You will always see favour, and no harm shall befall you,” she said.

Established in 2025 by Awode, a former students’ union leader, the Louis Awode Foundation focuses on education, community development, empowerment, and global impact. Its programmes target underserved communities, underprivileged students, first-generation graduates, and persons with disabilities through scholarships, mentorship, digital literacy, and vocational training initiatives.

Awode added that the outreach aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 1 and 11, which focus on poverty reduction and sustainable cities.

“By celebrating and giving back to these unsung heroes, the Louis Awode Foundation seeks to honour their dedication, restore dignity to their work, and reaffirm our belief that every contribution to society deserves recognition and appreciation,” he said.

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Also speaking, a volunteer and marketing lead for the foundation, Ms. Taiwo Abdulai, said participating in the outreach reinforced the power of compassion to uplift lives. “Seeing the smiles on the faces of the beneficiaries was incredibly moving and humbling,” she said. “It reminded me that kindness, when given sincerely, can restore hope, affirm worth, and create lasting emotional impact.”