The Young Professionals program (YP), hosted by the Unboxed Conferences, is an annual event that brings together young professionals ages 19 – 30 years from various works of life to have an opportunity to be mentored by professionals with years of experience in their various fields. The event, which PIND Foundation sponsored, hosted this year’s edition at Asaba, Delta State. The event had 300 mentees and 30 mentors in attendance.
The executive director, Tunji Idowu, gave his opening address titled, What Else Can I Do? The Value in Being Multi-Skilled.
In his address, he spoke about the need for young people to have diverse skills, especially in this rapidly changing world. He emphasized the advantages of being multi-skilled and how it gives you leverage to prospective employers and makes you stand out among other young people in a competitive job market. It also offers young people the advantage of being able to switch between roles.
“Being multi-skilled offers numerous advantages. Firstly, it enhances our versatility. When we possess a variety of skills, we become more adaptable and can easily switch between different tasks and roles. Industries and technologies evolve rapidly, and what may be in demand today might become obsolete tomorrow. Adaptability gives you a competitive edge, allowing you to thrive in uncertain and dynamic environments.
Being multi-skilled gives you the flexibility to pursue diverse interests, switch careers, or undertake entrepreneurial endeavors, offering you a sense of independence and fulfillment. This flexibility enables us to contribute effectively in various situations and environments.”Tunji Idowu.
Tunji Idowu also highlighted PINDs commitment to improving the lives of young people through the Youth Employment Pathways (YEP) Project, which has provided training on market-relevant skills to more than 6,000 youth in the Niger Delta since its inception. The YEP Project has linked more than 3,000 youths to employment, internships, and entrepreneurial opportunities. In June 2023, PIND gave 66 young people in Delta State more than 41 million naira to support their startup businesses under its Challenge Business Fund Grant.
Read more about PINDs startup business challenge fund 2023; https://pindfoundation.org/start-business-challenge-fund-grant-signing/
Mr. Wale Idenuga, the Chief Responsibility officer for Unboxed Conferences, thanked PIND for its continued support of the event over the years. PIND has sponsored YP in Calabar, Port Harcourt, and now Asaba. He promised to continue developing the Young Professionals Program to inspire young people to gain answers, insights, experiences, and guidance from skilled mentors and to form new relationships.
At the close of the event, two participants were awarded a sum of 125,000 naira each for pitching the best business proposals at YP Asaba. The funds would support the two young entrepreneurs in their business ventures under the YP Endeavour Asaba.
