What Providence Catering Institute brings to the table

With the persisting economic recession in Nigeria, not helped by a tepid response from a dysfunctional policy that concentrates undue powers at the federal center, youth unemployment has become a clear and present danger. Indeed, available statistics of the socio-economic scourge are not only scandalous and scary but capable of sinking the tottering ship of state.

For instance, according to recent figures from the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics (NBS), about 15.2 million out of the youth labor force of 38.2 million, are either unemployed or underemployed. That represents an unjustifiable unemployment rate of 48.24 percent! Over the years, the unemployment rate has risen from 5.8 percent in 2008 to 9.9 percent in 2015 and eventually escalating to an all-time high of 19.70 percent in the last Quarter of 2016. This signals danger for the nation.

Sustained and sincere efforts at stemming this ugly tide by the private sector are seen as a most welcome development. And that is because the government cannot shoulder all the responsibility alone. That is where Providence Institute of Catering and Events Management(PICEM), Ibafo comes in. Established in August 2007 at No 12, Victoria Street, Ojota Mrs. Alagbaoso Francisa (MNIFST) the medium scale enterprise is into the training of unemployed youths and women; especially those who have the zeal and enthusiasm to better their lives, specifically in the art of cookery and bakery and events decorations.

Students are also taught in such fields as events management, hats, and beads making, rental services, fashion, and textiles. The vocational center was established with the vision to empower the unemployed youths. The course contents of their training are structured in such a way as to equip them to compete favorably with their counterparts engaged in white-collar jobs.

To achieve its laudable objectives, the emphasis is placed on the practical aspects of the ‘do-it-yourself’ approach. Similarly, students are taught on the nitty-gritty of the outdoor catering so as to instill in them the requisite confidence and leadership qualities. And because of the partnership, the institute has with the N.D.E the training of the youths permeates right to the grassroots so that at the end of the day they are able to stand on their feet.

It is in this wise, that the Institute usually takes part in external examinations such as the Food Hygiene Certificate and Diploma conducted by the West African Examination Board. In addition, it also organizes Trade Test which is conducted by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity in collaboration with NABTEB.

The institute which began with 25 students has so far trained in excess of one thousand young entrepreneurs who are now proudly their own bosses. Little wonder that it has since become a household name in Lagos and its environs. But that is not all there is to PICEM. Besides, there is an arm for Owambe parties which provide catering services (local and foreign cuisines), event decorations for social events and occasions. These include weddings, housewarming, graduation parties and town hall meetings.

One area where it has distinguished itself is the pragmatic and profitable partnership between the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) and Providence Resources Ltd. This came to the fore, precisely in August 2010 when the Catering arm of the latter held its 3^rdGraduation /Matriculation ceremony for its graduands and new students respectively. The event which took place then at the Association of Friends Events Centre, Maryland, Lagos drew dignitaries which included Mrs. Odunwa Stella, the state coordinator of N.D. as the Chairperson.

What she said back in 2010 rings true today as it serves as a lesson to other entrepreneurs.

She was immensely delighted at the fruitfulness of the partnership between them as it was in fulfillment of the mandate of the Federal Government Agency. She explained that many youths, including fresh university graduates, who would otherwise have been roaming the streets in search of jobs in the public and private sectors were being empowered to look inwards. Through Providence Institute they get the necessary skills in line with their talents to become not only self-employed but employers of labor too.

She openly extolled the sterling attributes of the Rector which include “hard work, creativity, and doggedness of spirit in the face of mounting odds to succeed”. And on her part, Alagbaoso while speaking with the graduands then enthused: “You have fought the good fight, you have finished the race, so go forth and conquer… Do not let the conditions of your environment weigh you down from achieving success. Be hungry for it, work for it and you will achieve it”.

It would be recalled that both the World Bank and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) had raised a timely alarm back in the same 2010 that Nigeria’s unemployment rate had assumed an explosive time-bomb situation. Also, in August 2011, both Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Dr. Olusegun Aganga, two respected economists who were then in the driving seat of Nigeria’s economy, lamented the situation.  The latter said then that: “The poverty we have in Nigeria is unemployment-driven. It is too much. Unemployment is in the range of 21.1 percent. Out of this, 80 percent are in the age bracket of 15-24 years.

From the foregoing, solving the endemic youth unemployment challenge would demand all hands to be on deck.  A government has to scale up its efforts at providing the enabling environment with stable infrastructure, while banks and endowed individuals should provide the much-needed credits facilities to kick-start the latent, veritable ideas, wasting away due to lack of funds. And those who take the plunge should borrow a fresh leaf fromProvidence Catering Institute, as partnerships and an undying focus on the goals set would see the vision bear the desired fruits