The development of youths in the country to enable them identify and maximise their assets base has received a boost from the African Resources Development Initiative (AFREDI) a non-governmental organisation through its maiden edition of “Sweat Your Asset Programme” (SYAP).

The intervention programme is aimed at improving the well-being of youths in Nigeria, in order for them to attain their full potential in productive engagements.

Social entrepreneur and founder of AFREDI, 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 (an initiative of US President Obama), and also an alumnus of the Global Alliance for Youth Leaders (GAYL), 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 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.

According to Akwuebu, the six-week long paradigm shift initiative will have participants undergoing various trainings in family formation and participation as well as serve as a platform for life-long access to learning.

A cross section of the workshop with Henry Akwuebu in the center.

Other speakers at this edition of SYAP include Dr. Olayiwola Oladapo – CEO, Sweat Your Assets Derivatives Limited, a Nigerian Organizational Development, Human Resources and International Development Professional; Oludare Akinlaja – Founder of Yada, an educational holding, learning management and research company with series of learning programs, colleges and schools that are redefining education as a tool for sustainable development.

Others are: Adekoya Razak Bamidele – author of award winning book “Brand Your Blindness” and lead strategist at 360 Connect Communication and Sipasi Olalekan Ayodele – YALI RLC Ambassador, an expert in development through sustainable agricultural processes, innovations and appropriate technology.