‘Tackling youth unemployment requires strong public, private collaboration’

Concern industry experts say public, private sector collaboration is required to tackle growing youth unemployment situation in Nigeria.
Muhammed Zia Siddiqui, chief operating officer of MTN Nigeria, while speaking at the launch of the Bus Shelter Kiosks initiative in Lagos, says the initiative will not only serve as an empowerment platform, it will also positively impact the socio-economic status of the people of Lagos.
The initiative, launched at the Saka Tinubu Bus-Stop, Adeola Odeku Street, Victoria Island, will see MTN construct 50 major bus stops, fitted with modern sales kiosks where young people will retail phones and products.
In addition to empowering the beneficiaries of the project, the bus shelter kiosks will also serve as touch points where customers can access service offerings and query resolutions. Services like SIM Swaps and bill payments will also be added as soon as possible.
According to Siddiqui, “We are committed to touching lives, and this initiative is a strong expression of that aspiration. The bus shelter kiosk project will serve as a platform for some of our unemployed youth to earn a living.”
Adekunle Adebiyi, acting sales/distribution executive of the company, says the kiosks will leverage cutting-edge technology to drive superior customer service, just as is obtainable in other MTN Friendship centres across the country.
He says the first phase of the project will kick-off with the roll-out of 10 kiosks strategically located around Lagos Island and Mainland areas, saying, “We are kicking off with the roll-out of the first batch of 10 bus shelter kiosks which will be sited in designated bus stops in Lagos Island and Mainland. The idea is to build capacity for 50 people across Lagos.”
Taiwo Idowu, managing director, Touch Point Nigeria Limited, co-partner with MTN on the project, discloses that the bus shelter kiosks will achieve the triple objectives of making public transportation more appealing for, provide an organised retail structure that will promote a clutter-free platform for the sale of products and services as well as encourage economic empowerment through youth employment.
Also present at the event was the Lagos State commissioner for transport, Olanrewaju Elegushi, who says the initiative complements the state’s goal of making transportation seamless.
According to Elegushi, “We will like to use this opportunity to thank MTN for their continuous efforts towards supporting the wealth creation initiative of the Lagos State Government and also constructing these bus-stops to enhance mobility of commuters around the Lagos metropolis. This is laudable and we urge other companies to take a cue from this.”

 

KELECHI EWUZIE