Some Nigerian social innovators have launched the “Sweat Your Asset Programme” (SYAP) aimed at improving the well-being of youths in Nigeria, in order for them to attain their full potential in productive engagements.
The SYAP is an initiative of the African Resources Development Initiative (AFREDI) a non-governmental organisation that will help in the development of youths in the country to enable them identify and maximise their assets base.
AFREDI founder and coordinator of SYAP, Mr. Henry Akwuebu explained that SYAP is a 5-year intervention programme that seeks to address the under-employed, unemployed and unemployable young Nigerians in the dilemma of ‘waithood’.
Akwuebu who is an Ashoka Changemakers Scholar, an alumnus of the Young African Leaders Initiative-YALI, noted that for young people to maintain a sense of dignity, they needed to have work and provide for themselves and others, as this will define their self-worth and position in their families and communities.
The maiden edition of SYAP had speakers like Dr. Oladapo , who is the CEO, Sweat Your Assets Derivatives Limited, a Nigerian Organizational Development, Human Resources and International Development Professional. Founder of Yada, an educational holding, learning management and research company, Oludare Akinlaja; author of award winning book “Brand Your Blindness,” Adekoya Razak Bamidele and Sipasi Olalekan Ayodele, an expert in development through sustainable agricultural processes also spoke.
According to Akwuebu, the six-week long paradigm shift initiative will have participants undergoing various trainings in ethics, leadership and social entrepreneurship as well as serve as a platform for life-long access to learning.
“The youths in the ‘waithood’ period will be equipped enough to attain economic autonomy which will allow them take part actively in responsibilities that define adulthood,” he said.
