The Lagos State Government has trained and graduated 100 young people in event planning and management, with a focus on helping them gain skills they can use to earn a living and start businesses.
The graduates were honoured on Monday at the maiden graduation ceremony of the Event Planning and Management Training held at the Adeyemi-Bero Auditorium, Alausa, Ikeja.
The programme, organised by the Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment in partnership with Zapphire Training School, was themed “From Passion to Profession: Unlocking Opportunities in Event Planning.”
Turning Skills Into Opportunities
Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Akinyemi Bankole Ajigbotafe, said the training was aimed at helping young Lagosians turn their creativity and interests into sustainable sources of income.
He said the events industry had become a growing part of the economy, adding that success in the sector requires professionalism, creativity, good organisation, digital skills and financial discipline.
According to him, the industry also gives young people room to build businesses and employ others.
Graduates Told to Think Beyond Jobs
The Chairman of the House Committee on Wealth Creation and Employment, Stella Olufunke Osafile, urged the graduates to take event planning seriously as a profession rather than seeing it only as a creative hobby.
She said passion must be backed by knowledge, discipline and professionalism, while encouraging the beneficiaries to keep learning and look for ways to build their own businesses.
Osafile also urged them to move beyond waiting for paid employment and work towards becoming entrepreneurs who can create jobs for others.
Training Goes Beyond the Classroom
The Managing Director and CEO of Zapphire Events, Funke Bucknor, said the beneficiaries were given practical experience as part of the programme.
She explained that the trainees worked alongside professional event teams during their internships, gaining experience in planning, production, coordination and on-site event management.
Bucknor said the practical exposure was important in helping the graduates understand how the industry works beyond classroom lessons.
She added that event management supports several other businesses and jobs, including catering, logistics, photography, entertainment, production and hospitality.
The training is part of the Lagos State Government’s efforts to give young people practical and marketable skills that can support employment and entrepreneurship.
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