FSD Partners U.S. Consulate To Train 100 Youths In Fashion Design, Solar Panel Installation | Independent Newspaper Nigeria
Source: Independent Newspapers Nigeria
LAGOS - The Field of Skills and Dreams (FSD), in partnership with the U.S. Consulate have trained 100 youths in sustainable fashion design and solar panel installation that will benefit them and their communities for years to come.
Will Stevens, U.S. Consul General, in his remarks at the 'Life Entrepreneurship Skills for Green Economy Jobs Graduation', said: "First let me offer my congratulations to all the graduates and their families.
"Your perseverance and dedication to honing your craft has brought you to this special day. It is my honor to celebrate it with you.
"I also wish to commend Omowale Ogunrinde and her team at Field of Skills and Dreams, or FSD, for their amazing efforts to train 100 young people in sustainable fashion design and solar panel installation in partnership with the U.S. Consulate.
"There is an oft-quote saying that you can give a man a fish and feed him for a day, or you can teach a man to fish and feed him for a lifetime.
"Omowale's vision here at FSD embodies the idea that equipping people with vocational and entrepreneurial skills will benefit them and their communities for years to come.
"I'm sure this is one of the reasons why FSD was selected as a recipient of U.S. African Development Foundation, or USADF, funding and visited personally by the USADF President and CEO when he visited Nigeria last year.
"We are proud to count Omowale among the more than 12,000 Nigerian alumni of U.S. government exchange programs.
"In my nearly two years as Consul General, I have traveled around this country and had the opportunity to meet with young Nigerians and listen to what matters to them. And I am truly impressed by their ideas on how to build their country.
"Making that future a reality is going to take more than just talk. It will require a lot of hard work from young people like yourselves, who make up nearly 70 percent of the population.
"I'm very hopeful of what the future holds because the energy, tenacity, and resilience of Nigerian youth is unmatched.
"I often say I haven't met a Nigerian who won't see a problem, solve it, and then turn around and sell it back to you. It is that entrepreneurial spirit that has landed Nigerians among the world's top achievers in business, technology, and fashion and continues to push the country toward sustainable economic growth.
"At the U.S. Mission in Nigeria, we are deeply committed to supporting the aspirations and dreams of Nigerian youth as they navigate the evolving landscape of employment, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
"I am proud of the United States' many contributions to expanding the skill set of young people, including through this partnership with FSD.
"In addition, through exchange programs such as the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs, and the International Visitors Leadership Program, among others, we support the business leaders of tomorrow with targeted training and mentorship".
Stevens noted that the U.S. private sector is also invested heavily in Nigeria.
"American companies like Microsoft and Google are providing training to young people who are yearning to enter the job market with 21st century skills.
"I was particularly pleased to see the focus of FSD's program was on green economy jobs. Learning how to install solar panels and sustainably design fashion not only ensures job security as the world embraces new technologies, but also shows your commitment to the planet, preserving it for generations to come.
"The market is ripe for these types of skills. Just this week at the U.S. Mission in both Lagos and Abuja, we celebrated Earth Day where eco-conscious Nigerian vendors sold their goods and services. I look forward to seeing where you can take your new green skills."