LASG Trains, Empowers Youths in Bread and Pastry Making

The Lagos State Government (LASG) has taken a significant step in its commitment to youth empowerment and economic resilience by organizing a training and empowerment program in bread and pastry production for youths from rural communities. This initiative, championed by Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu’s administration, is a direct strategy to productively engage the youth, thereby combating unemployment, mitigating crime, and fostering a resilient and vibrant economic ecosystem.

​The specialized one-day training was meticulously organized by the Centre for Rural Development (CERUD) in Igbodu, Epe, attracting participants from across the State’s rural divisions. Speaking at the event, Special Adviser on Rural Development, Dr. Nurudeen Yekinni Lanre-Agbaje, highlighted the immense economic prospects and profitability of the sector, noting that bread and pastries are staple foods consumed daily by Lagosians, irrespective of their location or socioeconomic status.

​A central element of the program was the focus on practical, hands-on training sessions, which equipped beneficiaries with the skills to produce a variety of in-demand products. Participants were exposed to the production of different types of bread, such as wheat, fruit, and sardine bread, alongside popular pastries like egg rolls, sausages, and pies, ensuring they leave with a versatile and market-ready skill set.

​Demonstrating a comprehensive commitment to self-reliance, the LASG did not merely provide training; it followed through with a robust empowerment package. Upon conclusion, the beneficiaries were not only awarded certificates of participation but also went home with essential starter packs. These packs included a mini oven, a digital measuring scale, various cake pans, flour, sugar, and other vital baking materials, providing the immediate capital necessary to launch their micro-enterprises.

​The program's success was evident in the enthusiastic response from the participants, who expressed profound gratitude to the Lagos State Government for the timely gesture. They pledged to maximize the opportunity provided by the training and starter packs to improve their earnings, thereby actively contributing to the growth and development of the ever-rising Lagos economy, fulfilling the administration's goal of socioeconomic upliftment for rural dwellers.