GESP: Partners hail Yabatech, pledge support for additional 1m girls

LAGOS (Sundiata Scholar) – The Girls’ Education and Skills Partnership (GESP) of Yaba College of Technology (Yabatech) has earned international commendation from UNICEF and Generation Unlimited.

Both organisations have also pledged support for training of additional one million girls across Nigeria.

This is contained in a statement on Sunday by Deputy Registrar, Centre for Communication Information and Public Relations, Yabatech, Mr Adekunle Adams.

Adams said that the commendation came during a visit to the institution by a delegation from UNICEF and Generation Unlimited, New York, U.S.

He said that the delegation was led by Mr Kevin Frey, Chief Executive Officer of Generation Unlimited, New York.

According to him, Frey was accompanied by Ms Iliana Albino, Global Partnerships Lead at Generation Unlimited; Ms Vanessa Lee, Chief of Education at UNICEF Nigeria; and Ms Celine Lafoucriere, UNICEF’s Chief Field Officer and Lead, GenU 9JA.

Adams said that after a tour of GESP facilities, Frey described the programme ‘nothing short of transformative’.

“These young women are not just learners; they are innovators, entrepreneurs and leaders in the making.

“Their resilience shows that investing in girls is one of the smartest investments any society can make.” Adams quoted Frey as saying.

He added that Lafoucriere described GESP as a life-changing platform.

“The testimonies we have heard today are powerful.

“These girls are charting bold new paths because someone believed in them. UNICEF is proud to be part of this journey,” Adams quoted Lafoucriere as saying.

Adams said that Albino emphasised that Yabatech had set a global example by equipping girls with skills that opened doors.

He also quoted Albino as pledging full support for the college’s ambition to reach additional one million girls under GESP.

“You are not only changing individual lives but also building stronger economies and inclusive societies,” he quoted Albino as saying.

Adams said that Yabatech’s Deputy Rector (Administration), Mr Femi Lawal, who received the delegation on behalf of the Rector, Dr Ibraheem Abdul,
described the institution as a centre for innovation and technical excellence.

He quoted Lawal as saying that the institution was proud to host a transformative programme that empowered young women across the country.

According to Adams, GESP Project Coordinator, Dr Funmilayo Doherty, noted that the initiative was in its third phase and had trained a third cohort of girls in four major skill areas.

He said that Doherty listed the skill areas as web application development, mobile application development, GSM and phone repair, and computer repair and maintenance.

“Outstanding graduates received start-up kits to establish their own businesses.

“We are not only training these young women but also equipping them with the tools to stand on their own.

“This would not have been possible without the steadfast support of our sponsors,” Adams quoted Doherty as saying.

Adams added that the beneficiaries testified that the training had given them confidence, practical skills and a clear vision to pursue careers, launch businesses and contribute meaningfully to their communities. (NAN)