By Seyi John Salau
Copyright businessday
Wavecrest College of Hospitality and other partners are collaborating to drive growth and innovation in the hospitality industry in Nigeria.
The partnership aims at empowering young women in the hospitality industry through the Wavecrest Hospitality Skills & Enterprise Development Centre of Excellence, a project under the Skills Initiatives for Africa (SIFA).
Anthony Aihie, CEO, Design Union, highlighted the importance of skills acquisition for young women in Nigeria.
He stated that the project is a crucial step in nation-building, similar to the need for skilled artisans in other sectors.
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Aihie also commended the collaboration between non-profit organizations and government efforts to promote vocational training.
Rosana Forsuelo, provost, Wavecrest College of Hospitality, stated that the new building will feature modern, state-of-the-art equipment to prepare students for the complexities of the industry, which she noted relies heavily on skilled human resources.
“By investing in human capital and infrastructure, Wavecrest College of Hospitality and its partners aim to drive growth, innovation, and excellence in the industry,” Forsuelo said.
According to the provost, the new center, a collaboration between the Women’s board, African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD), LSG Sky Chef Things Remembered Services, Lagos Business School, Ishk Tolaram, Hilton Global Foundation, IDP, and other donor organisations is designed to train about 400 young women annually.
Edna Dafe, project director, stated that the facility will enhance employability and entrepreneurial opportunities for young women. “This training facility will have a profound impact on the lives of young women, their families, and society as a whole.
“By equipping them with valuable skills, we aim to make them highly sought-after professionals in the hospitality industry,” Dafe stated during the recent foundation-laying ceremony in Lagos.
“The values and professional ethics instilled by this institution played a significant role in my success,” Chinenye Obiakor, a 2012 alumnus of Wavecrest College of Hospitality, stated in her testimonial.
Obiakor, who is currently a specialist at Mykonos Cayman (Upscale Steak house in the Cayman Islands), disclosed that the college helped in shaping her successful career and emphasized the institution’s role in helping young women discover their potential.
