Connect with us

Trending News

Dutch Vice-Consul Economic Affairs Visits Zarttalent Foundation Lagos Office

Published

on

 

  • Commends Zarttalent Foundation For Leveraging digital education to bridge the Inequality Gap, including gender, social and race in Nigeria

  • Encourages young Nigerians to acquire digital skills

In a bid to support startups deploying innovative solutions to tackle some of the challenges in Nigeria, the Vice-Consul Economic Affairs at the Dutch Consulate General in Lagos, Abel Neering, paid a courtesy visit to the Lagos office of the Zarttalent Foundation on Friday, December 3rd, 2021.

 

The Nigerian tech ecosystem is one of the fastest-growing in Africa and there are so many startups leveraging technology to solve the problems facing the country. Interestingly, these startups are attracting investors from different parts of the world, including the Netherlands. A report released by Maxime Bayen, a Senior Venture Builder for Catalyst Fund at BFA Global, notes that African startups have raised more funds in the first half of 2021 than they raised in the first half of 2019 and 2020 combined. The report said that startups on the continent had raised a whopping $1.19 billion in funding, with deals worth $1 million and above accounting for about 95% ($1.14 bn) of the total funding raised.

 

The Dutch Consulate General of the Netherlands in Lagos is actively contributing to improving the labour position of youth in Nigeria through programs and policies such as the Dutch #YouthatHeart Policy and the youth employment strategy in Nigeria. The Challenge Fund for Youth Employment, the recent Meaningful Youth Participation Event and the establishment of a Youth Advisory Council to advise on Dutch policies and programmes in Nigeria are a few examples of Dutch programs to support Nigerian youth.

 

This involvement has prompted vice-consul Neering to visit Zarttalent Foundation in Lagos, providing the consulate with general insight into how the foundation is bridging the gender, social and Inequality gap and improving youth employment for marginalised in Nigeria.

 

“Over the years, the government of the Netherlands has introduced various initiatives and programs to promote youth employment, e.g. via digital skills development, and young entrepreneurs across Africa, amongst others Nigeria. The Netherlands is doing this to enable youths to tap into the opportunities offered by the digital revolution and to support founders of startups who are passionately working to find sustainable solutions to African challenges. Moreover, The Netherlands also actively involves youths in decision-making to leverage their valuable ideas and understanding of the challenges they face.

 

“Zarttech Is a great example of a Dutch-Nigerian startup leveraging on the digital revolution by bringing demand and supply for tech developers together. My visit to Zarttalent Foundation is to understand how they aim to bridge the inequality and skills gap in Nigeria. By providing training and internships to underprivileged youths to become junior developers they will not only create a pipeline of much-needed developers, but they will also contribute to creating meaningful youth employment. This is a win-win situation”.

 

During the visit, Neering, who toured the office, said he was impressed with the Foundation’s ambitions and commended the management’s efforts in bridging the inequality and skills gap.

 

“I much appreciate the efforts of the Zarttalent Foundation in equipping young Nigerians with relevant skills that would make them employable in the future. Their approach by providing internships and access to markets for junior developers is an approach that appeals to me. The Consulate General of The Netherlands is happy to promote initiatives like this”.

 

Commenting on the visit, the Chairman of the Zarttalent Foundation, Nelson T. Ajulo, said: “Our social impact solution enables us to combat poverty and inequality not in Nigeria but across the world. First, our students undergo an intensive six months of training in relevant digital skills. Upon completing the training, they join Zarttech, formerly known as  Zarttech, for a one-year internship where they will work on practical projects and become junior software developers. Then we connect them to the global marketplace where they can start earning. Our solution is free and quick. It can quickly get Nigerians out of poverty and empower girls by reserving 50% of applications into the Zart Academy. In addition to this, we are fighting brain drain because these engineers work remotely. This is good as it will enable them to contribute to the growth of their immediate communities. Through this, we are bridging the closing gender, social and race gap.

 

“So we are delighted that the Vice-Consul Economic Affairs is identifying with us by visiting us. We look forward to partnering with the consulate in creating a just and equitable world.”

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Business

Access Pensions to Empower Africa’s Next Wave of Talent with Market Readiness Training

Published

on

By

As the job market welcomes a new wave of talent post NYSC, Access Pensions has announced the ‘Shape Your Future’ live empowerment webinar. This session is designed to prepare and equip young individuals as they transition into the business world or workforce, whether as employees or entrepreneurs. Scheduled for April 25, 2024, from 12:00 WAT, ‘Shape Your Future’ brings together industry experts and thought leaders to share invaluable insights and strategies for success.

 

The sessions will feature distinguished speakers including Joycee Awosika,
Founder/CEO Oriki Group who will speak on the topic ‘Getting Started – Your Entrepreneurial & Professional Journey,’ and Employability Skills Coach, Felicia Odumosu, who will address concerns on ‘Employability – How to Be the Candidate of Choice.’

Speaking on the initiative, Afolabi Folayan, Executive Director (Technical), at Access Pensions, stated, “As we welcome a new wave of talent into the job market post-NYSC, ‘Shape Your Future’ embodies our dedication to nurturing and empowering young professionals. Access Pensions is committed to sustainability and firmly believes in the potential of young Nigerians to grow wealth and become key contributors to the economy in the mid to long term. This initiative underscores our commitment to equipping them with the essential skills and insights needed to excel in their entrepreneurial and professional journeys.”

The digital training will also leverage the wealth of experience across the Access ecosystem as Olubusola Ogundipe, Team Lead, Women in Banking Segment at W Initiative of Access Bank will introduce participants to Youthrive, a transformative initiative by Access Bank designed to empower, uplift, and accelerate the next generation of MSMEs. The Youthrive program is set to impact over four million individuals by enhancing capacity, providing financial empowerment, and fostering invaluable business exchange programs. This online seminar promises to be an enriching experience, offering practical guidance, tips, and inspiration for young professionals embarking on their career journeys. Interested participants are encouraged to register here.

Continue Reading

Trending News

NEXIM Bank top Shot, Hon. Stella Okotete Plans Big for 40th

Published

on

By

 

 If Stella Erhuvwuoghene Okotete’s success story is well scribbled’ it will make a best-selling play if well adapted and also cast with an A-list actor to bring the characterization to life. Because it teaches determination, tenacity and hard work. Thriving in a male-dominated world is more reason for her to remain solid and firm thereby staying ahead of her game to become a force to reckon with thereby grounding the clichéd woven around women who limit their ability to soar higher. With her numerous degrees and current status as an Executive Director (Business Development) at Nigeria Export-Import Bank NEXIM, she kick-started her political sojourn with the All Progressives Congress, the first elected Councilor in Ughelli-North Local Government Area of Delta State from 2008 – 2011. When her name was penned down as a minister-designate but was not cleared by the Department of State Security Service for onward screening by the senate; Okotete quickly moved on by remaining focused and refused to hold grudges against anyone or blame anyone.

 Rather, she has continued to learn and contribute her quota to the country’s development in her capacity as a top echelon at NEXIM bank. Despite naysayers trying hard to discredit her and also cast aspersions on her she has remained unperturbed by using her weight to enhance technological empowerment for women through training for businesses to engage in the Exportation of goods and services to earn forex.

On the 20th of April she will be celebrating her 40th birthday. We also gathered that due to the current situation of the country and the dwindling economy also as a public servant with human feelings instead of  the usual fanfare attached to birthdays celebrations like many of her peers would have done; She will kickstart the celebration with a modest way with a Night of Worship on Friday the 19th of April 2024 at the GT event Centre in Warri, Delta State.

On Saturday which is the day she would clock 40; she has opted to share her joy with the downtrodden and extending her hands of love to the needy where she will be reaching out through an empowerment scheme  at the Okotete Street in Ugheli; Delta State where she will be handing out palliatives and other items that will cushion the biting economy to the needy as a philanthropic gesture.

She will wrap the celebration up with a Church Thanksgiving service on Sunday the 21st of April at the Christ Missionary Crusaders in Ekpan Warri in celebration mode just to celebrate and appreciate her creator for availing her the gift of life on Mother Earth despite the turbulent time she witness while moving to the top.

Sources say; No fanfare celebration as she has only invited her close friends and relatives to church where she would thank God and dance like David danced in celebration mood.

Top government officials and political stakeholders will be in attendance to share in her pot full of joy. Okotete is quite excited as it marks the beginning of a new journey in her life and she is making it a grand celebration with thanks to her creator for putting her on a high pedestal early in life.

Continue Reading

Society

Billionaire Businessman, Alhaji Nasiru Danu Gets Another Traditional Title

Published

on

By

 

Alhaji Nasiru Halandu Danu is a man of high repute and unblemished integrity. He is a man whose words are his bond more reason he has been a delight of the ruling class and also thrived excellently well in business. Today he has not only made headway politically he is also respected for his ability to maintain and sustain friendship which has kept him going for years. Danu is a man who believes in his conviction and anyone he believes in he stands with regardless of how turbulent the situation might be. More reason he was one of Former President Buhari’s trusted allies and son with whom they both share a filial relationship.

 

As a politician born in Jigawa State, he also worked assiduously well for the present administration as he played an active role in the presidential campaign as a member of the campaign council. For this reason among others especially his philanthropic gestures were part of the reason former President Muhammadu Buhari honoured him with a national Honour as an Order of the Federal Republic O.F.R.

The chairman of Lubrik Construction during the Ramadan fasting partook in Zakat which is part of the core pillars of Islam. He donated heavily to the needy by feeding many during the fasting period. He donated palliatives and also fed multitudes in his bid to cushion the effect of the biting economy. In reward for bringing succour to his people over the years and as the Dan Amana Dutse Emirate, His Highness Muhammad Hamim Nuhu Sanusi CFR Sarkin Dutse has found him worthy by approving his upgrade from Dan Amana Dutse Emirate to Sardauan Dutse. The turbaning ceremony will take place at the palace on Thursday the 18th of April 2024 at the Dutse Jigawa State Capital.

 

Continue Reading

Trending News