News Release

Self-reliance Event Offers Ideas for Generating Income

Entrepreneurs from many different backgrounds taught approximately 180 adults and youth to open their eyes and use their innate abilities to improve their economic situation – part of a resource program organised by the Self-Reliance Services of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

“Discover Your Hidden Treasure” was this year’s theme of the annual event, held in May at the Lagos Nigeria Stake meetinghouse (a stake is a group of Latter-day Saint congregations, similar to a diocese).

Elder Frederick Akinbo, a senior leader of the Church in Lagos who presided at the event, said Latter-day Saints try to follow the example of Jesus Christ by looking after the temporal and spiritual well-being of those in need. He challenged participants to “hear more than what is said” and put into practice what they learn from the carefully-chosen facilitators.The entrepreneurs who served as facilitators offered a wide range of income-producing possibilities.

Mr. Fred Attah of Suncraft Energy Centre explained that solar energy is a new avenue for those seeking to be self-employed.

“There are solar installations all over Nigeria, but we don’t have people to maintain them,” said Attah. He noted that the transfer of the technology to those who have the desire to learn would fill the skills gap in the solar industry. It is projected that the industry could be the highest employer of labour by the year 2030.

Titilayomi Binta Odigbo of Saint Binta Creations advised jobseekers to think of things they can do by themselves, noting that most successful businesses have humble beginnings. She explained that her company started making shoes, bags, and other leather accessories in a single room at her home.

Christie Odesola of Angel Monograms, and Maureen Ngozi Ojiego of TMC Interiors – both members of other faiths – taught principles of self-reliance. They said this was their first encounter with a church that had a dedicated self-reliance centre. They urged participants to maximise their potential by taking every opportunity to improve their knowledge and skill base.

Sade Olubajo of Workforce Training Solutions also referred to increased knowledge and skills. She encouraged participants to obtain International Vocational Qualification (IVQ) from global certification institutes such as City and Guilds. She said this would enable them to get better jobs and add value to whatever they do. 

Other income-generating possibilities highlighted during the resource program included shoe and bag making, monograming, tailoring, fashion design, interior decorating, solar energy installation and maintenance and workforce vocational training.

Participants enjoyed in-depth interaction with the entrepreneur facilitators during breakout sessions.

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