Baking Skills, Building Futures: GIHF Empowers Youth in Fatolu-Ipaja

Skill acquisition is the cornerstone of both individual and societal progress. It enables people to develop specific abilities through consistent practice and experience — from mastering technical skills like data analysis to honing soft skills such as communication and teamwork. This process not only improves performance in personal and professional spheres but also fuels innovation, resilience, and economic growth.

Recognizing the importance of this, the Giving Is Healing Foundation (GIHF), in 2022, organized a three-day baking skills training program for youths in Fatolu-Ipaja, Lagos. The initiative aimed to equip participants with essential baking techniques, providing them with practical, marketable skills that could enhance productivity and open pathways to local economic development.

Speaking on the vision behind the program, GIHF’s Program Manager, Gbolahan Ayediran, said:

“When you give young people the tools to create, you don’t just empower them financially — you give them a sense of purpose. Skills like baking can become the seed for small businesses, which in turn strengthens families and entire communities.”

This program, much like other skill acquisition initiatives, demonstrates the dual impact of empowering individuals while contributing to broader community development. By imparting valuable knowledge, the Foundation enables participants to engage in productive economic activities that improve their livelihoods and foster stronger social bonds.

At GIHF, we believe skill development is not just about personal growth — it’s a powerful driver of long-term societal advancement. Initiatives like this play a crucial role in fostering collective well-being, reducing unemployment, and creating opportunities that benefit everyone.