The Lagos State Government, through the Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment, has trained and graduated 100 young Lagosians in Event Planning and Management as part of its sustained commitment to equipping young people with practical, market-driven skills for employment, entrepreneurship and wealth creation.
The beneficiaries were celebrated at the maiden edition of the Event Planning and Management Training Graduation Ceremony, held on Monday at the Adeyemi-Bero Auditorium, Alausa, Ikeja. The ceremony had as its theme, “From Passion to Profession: Unlocking Opportunities in Event Planning.”
Welcoming participants to the ceremony, the Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Hon. Akinyemi Bankole Ajigbotafe, said the programme, organised in collaboration with Zapphire Training School, was designed to harness the passion, creativity and entrepreneurial potential of young Lagosians and translate them into sustainable livelihoods.
The Commissioner noted that the events industry had evolved into a dynamic and increasingly competitive economic sector requiring creativity, professionalism, effective organisation, digital competence and financial discipline. He added that the sector offers significant opportunities for young people to build rewarding careers, establish businesses and create employment for others.
Delivering the keynote address, the Chairman, House Committee on Wealth Creation and Employment, Hon. Stella Olufunke Osafile, urged the graduates to regard event planning not merely as a creative pursuit but as a viable profession and business opportunity.
She emphasised that passion must be complemented by relevant knowledge, discipline, professionalism and continuous learning, encouraging the graduates to move beyond the pursuit of paid employment and position themselves as entrepreneurs and future employers of labour.
Speaking on the practical component of the programme, the Managing Director/CEO of Zapphire Events, Funke Bucknor, disclosed that the training went beyond classroom instruction, with participants progressing to hands-on internship experience alongside professional event teams.
She explained that the practical exposure equipped the beneficiaries with experience in event planning, production, coordination and on-site management, thereby bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and industry practice.
Bucknor described the events industry as a viable and growing sector capable of generating businesses, careers and employment opportunities across several value chains, including event planning, catering, logistics, photography, production, entertainment and hospitality.