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LAWMA, Green VET Africa Hold First Youth Empowerment Workshop on Green Skills
LAWMA, Green VET Africa Hold First Youth Empowerment Workshop on Green Skills
In a significant step towards youth empowerment in the green sector, the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) and Green VET Africa, have hosted a maiden workshop, highlighting the potential in green waste management and entrepreneurship.
The event, held at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Ikeja, was co-funded by the European Union, aiming to provide hands-on learning experiences for young participants from Nigeria and Ghana.
The workshop which followed a series of Green VET Project trainings geared towards equipping youths with skills in sustainable waste management and entrepreneurship, was supported by LAWMA’s technical expertise, to address the growing need for vocational education in the sector.
Delivering the keynote address, LAWMA’s Managing Director/CEO, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, represented by the Executive Director, Mr. Kunle Adebiyi, emphasised the Authority’s commitment to circular economy, where waste was viewed as valuable resource.
He said, “LAWMA’s key role is to attain a sustainable environment which can only be achieved if we all embrace sustainable waste management practices. We want to have a city where we will all be conscious of our actions and cherish our waste as resource.
Gbadegesin expressed delight at LAWMA’s involvement in the initiative, adding that the workshop would help enrich knowledge, providing entrepreneurial opportunities in the process.
“The Authority is honoured to be a major player in this green initiative. So many people are ignorant of the opportunities in waste management. This workshop will no doubt bridge the knowledge gap and also expose each and everyone here, to some technological innovations in this sector, which can be leveraged for entrepreneurship advantage”, he said.
Margerita Treslini, the Area Marketing Director of Apodissi, co-founder, and General Manager, representing Green VET Africa, highlighted the origins of the initiative, which according to her, was born out of the realisation that vocational training in waste management was underdeveloped in both Europe and Africa.
“Our mission is to organise developmental training programmes in waste management in Africa, having observed the sector is not given the required attention, especially the opportunities in the sector. Spain, Ghana and Nigeria are involved in this project and we are grateful LAWMA has helped us with her technical expertise and knowledge in the waste sector, to train 100 students from Nigeria and Ghana. Here we are today, all the trainees have been taught and we progress from there”, she said.
LAWMA’s Project Director for Green VET Africa, Mrs. Ademola Elizabeth, gave an overview of the project’s objectives, which aligned with the European Green Deal’s environmental goals. She explained that the project aimed to equip 100 participants from Lagos and Kumasi, with essential skills in green waste management and micro-entrepreneurship, to boost their employability.
“Basically, this project is to promote technical vocational training for youths in Nigeria and Ghana. A total number of 100 participants have been trained in Lagos and Kumasi, respectively on green waste management and micro-entrepreneurship to improve participants’ entrepreneurial and employability skills”, she noted.
Speaking further on the team’s achievement so far, Ademola noted that one of the major gains of the initiative, was the identification of specific stakeholders in the green waste management sector, who would share their experiences in the entrepreneurship journey.
“Today is all about articulating all that have been learnt into actionable goals. That is why we have invited stakeholders in the waste management sector, who will share their success stories, with challenges, so that the participants can learn from their experiences.” she stated.
Also in her presentation, Mrs. Jirinsola Olaleye, Head of LAWMA’s Circular Economy Department, who spoke on “Recycling: The Lagos Story”, encouraged participants to embrace the habit of sorting waste at the source, a crucial step towards a more sustainable environment.
The workshop also included a goodwill message from Mr. Olugbenga Adebola, President of the Association of Waste Managers of Nigeria (AWAMN), who commended the Green VET Africa initiative, stressing the importance of collaboration to maintain a clean and healthy environment.
Representing the Lagos Recyclers Association, Financial Secretary, Mrs. Omoh Alokwe, spoke on behalf of the president, Dr. Femi Idowu, emphasising the vast opportunities in recycling and urging participants to remain focused despite challenges.
The workshop featured breakout sessions where participants discussed the opportunities and challenges in the recycling sector, followed by group presentations and feedback.
Other notable attendees included Polysmart Group Managing Director, Mr. Wasiu Balogun; CEO of HygienePlus, Mr. Abdul Ganiy Oyekunle; a representative from United Waste, Mr. Haroon Bello, among others.
At the 2025 Security Symposium held in Lagos, PPC Limited, a leading Nigerian engineering and infrastructure development company, was awarded the Genetec Outstanding Partner Award for 2025, a recognition reserved for players in the global ecosystem who demonstrate consistent technical capability, delivery standards, and a long-term commitment to deploying dependable integrated security management systems.Genetec is a global leader in enterprise security technology, with solutions deployed across cities, critical infrastructure, financial institutions, and large enterprises worldwide. Its unified security platforms are widely used by governments and organizations that operate in complex, high-risk environments. The award acknowledges PPC’s work across multiple sectors, supporting organizations with integrated security management systems required to operate reliably in demanding conditions. It also reflects the company’s ability to combine internationally proven technology with local engineering expertise, ensuring solutions are adapted to Nigeria’s operating environment.Commenting on the recognition, Tola Ibironke, General Manager, Systems Engineering, PPC Limited, said the award highlights the importance of consistency and collaboration in technology delivery.“This recognition reflects the everyday work our teams put into designing, implementing, and supporting systems that our clients depend on. It speaks to consistency, attention to detail, and a shared commitment with Genetec to delivering solutions that perform reliably in real-world conditions.Over the years, PPC Limited has delivered security and surveillance solutions across sectors, including commercial real estate, financial services, campuses, and critical infrastructure. Our approach prioritizes proper system architecture, local technical insight, and long-term support, recognizing that the effectiveness of security technology is measured over time, not at installation.”The Genetec Outstanding Partner Award highlights the crucial role of strong partnerships in delivering complex security systems, particularly in environments where uptime, performance, and reliability are paramount.
Following the 2-day pre-pitch for the grand finale, Wema Bank, Nigeria’s leading innovative bank and pioneer of Africa’s first fully digital bank, ALAT, has announced the Top 20 finalists for Hackaholics 6.0. The 2-day pre-pitch took place on December 16 and 17, 2025.
The Top 20 finalists for Hackaholics 6.0 include Top 10 for the Hackathon stream and Top 10 for the Ideathon Stream. The Hackathon finalists are Rapid DEV, Secure IT, Neurafeed, Trust Lock Babcock, Pulse Track, IlluminiTrust, Trust Lock FUTA, Fix Fraud AI, KASH Flow and VOC AI. The Ideathon finalists are PLOY, Fertitude, VarsityScape, Mama ALERT, StockMed, Chao, All Arbitrate, FarmSlate, Sane AI and Cycle X.
Expounding on the unique approach implemented for Hackaholics 6.0, Moruf Oseni, Wema Bank’s MD/CEO commented, “Hackaholics started off as a hackathon and morphed into an ideation. For Hackaholics 6.0, the sixth edition, we decided to give both the builders of new solutions and the refiners of existing ones, an opportunity to make meaningful impact. For us at Wema Bank, we understand that innovation isn’t just building from scratch. Sometimes, it’s looking at what exists and developing new ways to optimise that and create more efficiency. This is the idea behind our two-stream Ideathon-Hackathon structure”.
“Every year , Hackaholics shows us just how eager and motivated Nigerian youth are when it comes to exploring creativity and innovation, and we are honoured to be the institution that provides them with the platform and resources to put this drive to good use. We toured 7 cities, indulged 1,460 participants and discovered hundreds of remarkable ideas; some of which needed some refining and some of which deserved to move to the next stage. For those who needed to go back to the drawing board, we provided useful guidance and for the top contenders, we were able to shortlist to the Top 43, who proceeded to the pre-pitch. To every participant, Wema Bank is proud of you. This is just the beginning”, Oseni added.
The Pre-pitch saw the Top 43 contenders battle in a game of innovation and problem solving, presenting compelling pitches for a chance to make it to Top 10 in their respective streams. After a rigorous stretch of pitches and presentations, the Top 20 emerged, securing their spot in the grand finale of Hackaholics 6.0.
Scheduled to take place on December 19, 2025, the grand finale of Hackaholics 6.0 will convene the top players in Africa’s tech and innovation ecosystem, creating an avenue for these finalists to not only put their creativity to the ultimate test but also give their solutions visibility to potential investors for additional funding opportunities beyond the prizes to be won.
The prizes to be won for the Ideathon include N25 million for the Winner, N20 million for the first runner-up, N15 million for the second runner-up and N5 million each for 2 women-led teams. In the Hackathon category, the first to fourth-place winners will receive N20 million, N15 million, N10 million and N5 million respectively.
Anyone interested in watching the grand finale of Hackaholics 6.0 live, is invited to join virtually via Wema Bank’s official YouTube channel @Wema Bank and keep track of the conversation on social media using #Hackaholics6
His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, the President of Ghana, expressed that his installation as Aare Atayeto Oodua of the Source by His Imperial Majesty, Ooni Adeyeye Babatunde Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II CFR the Ooni of Ife symbolizes a new chapter in the long-standing bond between Ghana and Nigeria.
This statement was made during the heartfelt address he delivered at the Ooni’s Palace, Ile-Ife, Osun State, on December 15, 2025. The installation ceremony drew numerous dignitaries and guests, all gathered to witness this significant cultural event.In an emotionally charged speech, President Mahama emphasized that the chieftaincy title he received not only honors him personally but serves as a vital link to further reinforce the fraternal ties between the two neighboring nations. He recounted a pivotal moment from his political journey, highlighting the crucial role the Ooni played in his re-election campaign.
Mahama shared a memorable experience from when he was in opposition, revealing that the Ooni had insisted on a visit to his palace, where he experienced a warm welcome and engaged in meaningful discussions.Reflecting on that crucial visit, he stated, “Kabiyesi took me to the palace’s most sacred areas and encouraged me to express my deepest desires. After that, he assured me, ‘Go, and you will reclaim your seat.’ In 2024, to my delight, I was re-elected as President.” Further expressing his sentiments, Mahama remarked on the longstanding kinship between the peoples of Ghana and Nigeria, asserting, “When Nigeria thrives, Ghana thrives. Our connection is profound; we are like twins born of the same mother, sharing similar aspirations whether in our passion for football or our culinary pride in jollof rice.”He also reminisced about his childhood years spent in Nigeria, following his father’s exile. In a touching dedication, he honored his late stepmother, who hailed from Offa in Kwara State, a place he called home for several years post-university.“I humbly accept this chieftaincy title on behalf of the wonderful people of Ghana, as it sends a powerful message about our shared relationship.” He continued, “In memory of my stepmother, Hajia Nusirat Balogun, I embrace this honor. When my father was exiled, it was decided that I should accompany him for companionship. Thus, I lived for years in Nigeria, in places like Lagos, Offa, and Kano alongside my late stepmother’s brother, Sharaf Balogun.
”During the ceremony, Ooni Adeyeye took the opportunity to express his appreciation for President Mahama. He stated, “On behalf of the House of Oduduwa, I extend our deepest gratitude to His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama for graciously accepting the immense responsibility of becoming a beacon of hope, a pillar of honor, and a symbol of unity for Africa as the Aare Atayeto Oodua. This distinguished recognition underscores your remarkable leadership, unwavering commitment to African unity, and lifelong dedication to humanity.
The Oduduwa dynasty takes great pride in welcoming you into this esteemed rank, which stands as a testament to wisdom, courage, and stewardship for our continent.” This ceremony not only celebrates the rich cultural heritage but also sets the stage for enhanced cooperation and collaboration between Ghana and Nigeria, further solidifying the bond between these two nations.
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