AKINWALE ABOLUWADE
The Federal Government on Friday reiterated its commitment to youth development as the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Youth Initiatives (Monitoring and Delivery), Dr. Titilope Gbadamosi, formally launched the Skill-Aid Initiative, a youth empowerment and skill acquisition programme in printing operations and management.
The skill-up training was organised in partnership with University Press Plc (UPPlc) and Best in Print Academy. The programme is designed to equip participants with practical competencies in digital and offset printing, pre-press and design workflow, machine operations, quality control, and print business management.
Describing the event as “another milestone in the Federal Government’s unwavering commitment to building a generation of empowered, skilled, and future-ready young Nigerians,” Dr. Gbadamosi said the initiative aligns with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises economic inclusion and youth capacity development.
She emphasized that young people remain central to national progress, not merely as recipients of development but as drivers of economic transformation.
“This administration is investing in programmes that expand economic opportunities, improve technical capacity, and ensure that Nigerian youths can compete, innovate, and thrive in a rapidly changing global economy,” she said.
According to her, the Skill-Aid Initiative is one of several youth-focused interventions translating government policy into visible and sustainable impact. The printing industry, she noted, was selected to address a widening national skills gap and to position Nigeria competitively within the global knowledge and creative economy.
Dr. Gbadamosi further assured that her office remains committed to effective implementation and monitoring of youth programmes to ensure measurable results.
“Government cannot do it all. Partnerships are key, and that is why we are collaborating with University Press Plc and Best in Print Academy,” she said, adding that trainees must approach the opportunity with discipline and vision.
She revealed that the government is currently running similar trainings in photography, digital design, and CNG conversion, all aimed at expanding youth employability.
The Managing Director of University Press Plc, Mr. Samuel Kolawole, commended the Federal Government for its collaborative approach, stating that the idea for the programme originated from a conversation between himself and Dr. Gbadamosi.
He described the partnership as part of UPPlc’s corporate social responsibility and a contribution to bridging manpower gaps in the printing and publishing sectors.
“There are numerous opportunities in this industry, yet we struggle to find qualified manpower. Some of you will be employed right here if you apply yourselves and show competence,” Kolawole told trainees.
He stressed that beyond university degrees, practical skills now determine employability, adding that youth must take ownership of their development to secure their future.
Also speaking, the Chairman of Best in Print Academy, Mr. Gbadega Adedapo, assured participants of world-class training backed by modern machinery and seasoned instructors. He encouraged them to remain committed, saying the academy is positioned to produce some of the industry’s finest professionals.
In her vote of thanks, the Executive Director, Publishing, UPPlc, Mrs. Folakemi Bademosi, urged participants to embrace humility, dedication, and steady growth in their career journeys. Using Dr. Gbadamosi as an example, she underscored the importance of seizing early opportunities and developing professional capacity over time.
“We thank President Bola Tinubu for the Renewed Hope Agenda. Skilling up the youth for productive engagement will go a long way in improving lives and strengthening the economy,” she added.
Industry stakeholders, facilitators, and trainees, including Aderinto Adewale, Adedoyin Adeniyi, Opeseyitan Darasimi and Ambassador Adedotun, were present at the event. The Head of the Department of Library, Archival and Information Studies at the University of Ibadan, Dr. Clement Adeniyi Akangbe, also attended.
The Skill-Aid Initiative aims to train an initial batch of 10 beneficiaries, who may be absorbed into employment opportunities within the collaborating organisations. The partners expressed hope that the success of the first cohort would pave the way for more training cycles.
The event closed with a renewed call for Nigerian youths to embrace skill acquisition as a pathway to economic empowerment, national development, and personal advancement.
The Special Adviser to the President presented Mr. Akinwale Aboluwade, a media entrepreneur, with a plaque of honour for his dedication to advancing staff development within the media industry.
