icreate Africa. www.icreateafrica.com
Editorial
This feels somewhat like a little triumph for us. We started this journey just two
years back with the mandate of changing the societal perception about technical
skills, promoting the opportunities that can be found in skills as a tool for young
entrepreneurship and eventually Africa’s industrialization. It has been a rocky road
from trying to explain our vision to the private sector, governmental agencies
and individuals. Our approach nurtured a lot of doubts and we were critized for
disrupting the system and for devalueing the 4 years diplomas and certificates.
When we hosted the maiden iCreate Skill Fest in October 2018, we crowned 14 Skill
Champions across different industries who all had great talent and skill display, but
yet trying to find their place in the professional life, even though the vast majority
were graduates.
The problem runs deeper. As white collar jobs are scarce and certificates do not
feed people in an emerging economy that is yet to be extensively diversified, skills
are needed. Innovations are needed, practical solutions are needed.
Bright Jaja
CEO and Founder
iCreate Africa
We have too many young Africans that can solve our problems. But no platforms or support system
is available to translate their ideas into products or passion into businesses. ICreate Africa is a hub
for skills excellence and development. We aim to create the platforms for skilled professionals to be
seen in a different light - in a deserving light because they do solve our problems. In our bathrooms,
kitchen, construction sites. ICreate will continue to stand up for Skill professions that are overlooked
and only acknowledged when their absence of services is felt. We must revalue work and regard blue
collar jobs as an important pillar of our economy.
We dreamt of seeing the ICreate Skill Champions on cover magazines over the last months. It was
a challenge. The void is obvious and we have enough work ahead of us if we want the narrative
surrounding Technical and Vocational Skills to be changed for the better in Nigeria and Africa. So we
created our own.
Launching the ICreate Skills Magazine Edition 1 means the first magazine for technical skills in Africa
now exists. To us, the magazine is just another platform we will use to uplift the profile of skilled
professionals and project the power of skills in the mainstream.
We keep fostering our mission, even if it means we must fill these niches.
We would not be here today without well-meaning Nigerians whom, in their various capacities, work
towards a different Nigeria, one that prioritizes sustainability and promotes a younger generation
to take charge. From hundreds of volunteers that gave their time and resources to making iCreate
a brand to our Board of Advisors, chaired by Frank Nweke Jr. who have believed in the necessity of
our initiative against all odds and naysayers. And most especially, our profound thanks to the ICreate
partner’s network which consists of our incredible partners who invested in this vision.
We hope you enjoy the read of the ICreate Skills Magazine Edition 1. Skills change lives.
Kind regards,
Bright Jaja
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