Nov 10, 2007 - Inauguration Of The Down Town Beauty Academy And Unveiling Of Dsalon Down Town Brand Face
I congratulate the Managing Director, Down Town Concept, Chief Abogo Ugwokegbe, Management and staff on this occasion of the formal inauguration of the Down Town Beauty Academy and unveiling of the Brand Face of the Dsalon Down town. I am informed that this Academy is focused on giving practical and theoretical training in cosmetology and beauty therapy to individuals especially the youths who desire a career in salon and beauty industry.
The establishment of this Academy is no doubt a most welcome development as its vision to contribute to the efforts at harnessing the abundant potentials, of our youths and equipping them with the basic skills to be self reliant is in line with the agenda of the government particularly in Lagos State.
One of the major challenges facing government today and which is also one of the factors responsible for the social problems plaguing the society is the recurring issue of unemployment among graduates and school leavers. Obviously, the public sector alone cannot absorb every new entrant into the job market. One of the viable options through which this problem can be addressed and which the administration of Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN, is already implementing is the empowerment of the youths through vocational skill acquisition that will make them become job providers rather than job seekers.
What we are witnessing today, i.e. the inauguration of this Academy is a demonstration of the role private initiatives can play to complement government efforts in providing a solution to a common problem. It is my hope that our youths will brace up to the challenge of the current reality by developing more interest in acquiring at least one vocational skill to complement whatever academic qualification they may have acquired. It is my believe that we must start to emphasise functional education which will equip our youths with the essential skills to identify and harness opportunities around them and reduce the urge to seek after grossly inadequate white collar jobs.
Once again, I applaud the vision behind the establishment of this Academy and the laudable objectives which it desires to achieve. It is my hope that we will witness more private initiatives especially in the area of financial support which will enable the youths to transform whatever skills they might have acquired into a viable enterprise.
I thank you for your kind attention. God bless you all.
Her Excellency
Mrs. Abimbola Fashola
First Lady of Lagos State