No fewer than 700 youths in Lagos State penultimate Thursday graduated from the skills acquisition programme sponsored by the Imole Eko Foundation.

The graduation, the sixth in a series, was held at the Police College Ground in Ikeja.

Beneficiaries of the programme who were trained in fashion designing, facial makeover, hairdressing, wig making, barbing, cosmetology, shoe/bag making, and catering received certificates, job tools, and cash as startup capital.

At the event, the sponsor of the programme, who is also the Foundation’s Chief Executive Officer, Prince Yommy Eshinlokun Ogungbe explained that his previous philanthropic initiatives in the area of education inspired him to sponsor the skills acquisition programme.

He said, ‘’ Being a philanthropist, I have been giving out free GCE, JAMB, and WAEC forms and scholarships to indigent students since 1998. I have also sponsored games and sporting events in various primary and secondary schools in Lagos State. Hence, I decided to start a foundation to help young and old people, particularly youth to learn vocational skills or crafts to earn a living.

”The Imole Eko Foundation(IEF) aims to break the vicious cycle of poverty and to restore hope for a better future. I believe that everyone has the right to access resources and opportunities, hence, our aim is to help generate vocational training for el employment.’’