UYO
The Office of the First Lady of Akwa Ibom State is set to collaborate with Jobberman Nigeria to expand employment opportunities, skills development and career support for young people across the state.
The Coordinator of the office of the First Lady, Lady Helen Eno Obareki, stated this recently, when the Country Head of Programmes at Jobberman, Mr. Olamide Adeyeye, led a delegation on a visit to Government House, Uyo, ahead of the organisation’s career clinic in the state.
Obareki described the visit as particularly meaningful, recalling how Jobberman played a significant role in her personal career journey while searching for employment after returning to Nigeria from the United States in 2013.
She said the platform gave her access to job opportunities, interviews and valuable interactions with professionals, which strengthened her confidence and prepared her for the workplace.
“I have a personal experience with Jobberman, and I know how impactful the platform was for me and for thousands of other young people. That is why I was delighted to receive your request for this courtesy visit,” she said.
The coordinator commended Jobberman for its commitment to empowering young Nigerians through employment and career development initiatives, noting that the office of the first lady equally prioritises strategic partnerships that deliver measurable impact.
She disclosed that the office is currently implementing several youth and women empowerment programmes, including a Women in Tech Initiative, which has already attracted more than 700 applications for only 250 available slots, demonstrating the growing demand for digital and technical skills among women in the state.
Obareki attributed the state’s growing investment in human capital development to the vision of Governor Umo Eno through the ARISE Agenda, noting that Akwa Ibom was creating an enabling environment for talent development and economic growth.
She stressed the importance of ensuring that beneficiaries of government-supported training programmes are connected to meaningful employment opportunities.
“When we train our people, we do not want to wonder where they will go afterwards. We want to know that they have access to opportunities where they can thrive, build fulfilling careers and contribute meaningfully to society,” she said.
Expressing the readiness of the office of the first lady to work closely with Jobberman, she called for a structured framework that would define areas of collaboration and ensure a sustainable partnership capable of creating lasting opportunities for Akwa Ibom youths.
Earlier, the Country Head of Programmes at Jobberman, Adeyeye, applauded the office of the first lady for its consistent investment in empowering women, young people and vulnerable groups across the state.
He explained that Jobberman was established 17 years ago to bridge the gap between job seekers and employers by providing a digital platform that connects talented young people with employment opportunities.
According to him, the organisation’s experience over the years revealed that while many young people struggle to secure jobs, employers also face challenges in finding suitably skilled candidates, prompting Jobberman to expand beyond recruitment into employability training and workforce readiness.
Adeyeye hinted that through its partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, the organisation has empowered more than two million young Nigerians and supported employment for over 800,000, with women accounting for over 70 per cent of beneficiaries.
Speaking on the organisation’s activities in Akwa Ibom, he revealed that Jobberman, working with its implementing partner, Roots of Impact, has reached more than 22,000 young people in the state, over 60 per cent of whom are women.
He identified mobilisation of women across communities and access to government facilities for the establishment of J
job centres as key areas where collaboration with the office of the first lady would significantly strengthen the programme’s impact.
Adeyeye was confident that a partnership with the office of the first lady would enhance the reach, sustainability and effectiveness of Jobberman’s interventions, ensuring that more young people in Akwa Ibom acquire the skills and opportunities needed to succeed in the labour market.
The visit featured the presentation of souvenirs by the Jobberman official to Lady Helen Obareki in appreciation of her commitment to youth and women empowerment and inclusive economic development.
The coordinator of the office of the first lady also had gifts for her guest