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The Lagos State Government under the leadership of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has announced that the approval of an Internship Programme for 4,000 unemployed graduates. This initiative is aimed at reducing the rate of unemployment in the State, and in line with the T.H.E.M.E.S Agenda of the present administration and the State’s Youth Development Programme.
The Honourable Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Mrs. Yetunde Arobieke, while speaking with newsmen about the programme, stated that “the Graduate Internship Placement Programme (GIPP) is designed to give candidates the opportunity to develop employability and work-ready skills that are needed in securing gainful employment.”
In addition, Arobieke maintained that the Internship Programme was conceived to address the third and fourth pillars of the present administration’s T.H.E.M.E.S agenda, which are Education and Technology and Making Lagos a 21st Century Economy, as a monthly stipend of N40,000 will be paid to the beneficiaries for the six months duration of the internship.
At the end of internship period, according to the Honourable Commissioner, interns would have gained valuable applied work experience and built up their professional skills. Equally, they would have been exposed to possible entrepreneurial opportunities to strengthen their professional skills and interpersonal relationship.
She, therefore, implored interested candidates to apply through the dedicated link for the programme: gipplasg.lagosstate.gov.ng. She, as well, mentioned that interested applicants must possess NYSC Certificates or letters of exemption, and must be registered residents of the State with Lagos State Residents Registration Agency, LASRRA.
Arobieke assured that the selection process will be transparent. According to her, over 50 off-takers have already shown interest in having the Interns work in their organisations. After taking an online test, successful candidates will be trained on employability skills for two weeks and evaluated. Subsequently, they will be placed on six months paid Internship with Private organisations and selected Public Agencies in line with their qualifications.
Ganiu Oloruntade
