Somto Bisina
Prince’s Trust International, a non-profit organization founded by King Charles III of England, has made its debut in Nigeria with the aim of addressing the pressing issue of youth unemployment on a global scale.
The official launch took place during a reception held in Lagos on Wednesday and witnessed the presence of esteemed dignitaries, including Ben Llewellyn-Jones, the Deputy British High Commissioner to Nigeria.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelDuring the launch, Llewellyn-Jones expressed his belief that the establishment of Prince’s Trust International in Nigeria would help bridge the existing skills gap and provide young people with access to high-quality training, thereby increasing their employability.
He stated, “This is the launch of the Prince’s Trust International initiative in Nigeria to help train young people and prepare them for work, bridging the gap we have in terms of youth unemployment and underemployment in Nigeria.
It is a really positive initiative. His Royal Highness is the President of the Prince’s Trust. The initiative aims to expand to more countries, with Nigeria being the latest addition. The PTI is a charity aligned with the UK government’s ambition in Nigeria to assist young people in securing jobs by providing proper training and necessary skills.”
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Llewellyn-Jones emphasized the importance of training, tailored to the specific roles that young people aspire to undertake, including modern workplace skills, etiquette, and both soft and hard skills.
Will Straw, the Chief Executive Officer of Prince’s Trust International, revealed that the initiative was initially intended to commence after King Charles’ visit to Nigeria in 2018. However, due to the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, its implementation was delayed.
Straw highlighted the organization’s efforts over the past 18 months, during which they have been helping young people acquire the skills needed for the workforce.
He explained, “Prince’s Trust is almost half a century old, founded by King Charles when he was the Prince of Wales in the UK in 1976. It has grown to become the largest charity in the UK, supporting millions of people. In 2015, the King established Prince’s Trust International with the mission to collaborate with local partners worldwide in addressing the youth unemployment crisis.
In 2018, during his visit to Nigeria, he inquired whether his trust could support employment initiatives in Nigeria and Ghana. The answer was affirmative. Our expertise can contribute to local efforts. With the support of our Africa advisory board, which includes prominent business figures like Atedo Peterside and Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, we began exploring how to establish this program.”
Arunma Oteh, a trustee of PTI and former Vice President of the World Bank, emphasized that 60% of Nigeria’s population comprises youth, making any investment in young people crucial and sustainable for the country’s development.
Oteh, who also served as the former Director-General of Nigeria’s Securities and Exchange Commission, expressed her excitement about the program’s potential for young Nigerians, employers, and the nation as a whole.
She praised Nigerian youths for their hard work, creativity, and resilience and anticipated that the launch of PTI in Nigeria would catalyze further positive changes and development in the country.
