A graduation ceremony for participants of the Building Sustainable Livelihoods for Vibrant Communities (B-SLiC) Project was held on Friday, August 22, 2025, at the Ikorodu Local Government Area (LGA) of Lagos State. The event celebrated the achievements of over 100 individuals who completed vocational and entrepreneurial training. Graduates received certificates and business startup kits to help launch or expand their livelihoods.
The B-SLiC Project is an initiative of Caritas Nigeria, supported by the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, and implemented in collaboration with the Sisters of St. Louis, Sisters of the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus, Daughters of Charity, and Sisters of St. Michael the Archangel. The project is designed to equip vulnerable young people with sustainable skills that can improve their income generation capacity and contribute to community development.
The ceremony was attended by high-profile dignitaries, including the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, represented by Hon. Adedayo Ledega, and the Archbishop of Lagos, represented by Rev. Fr. Dr. Basil Okoro. Other notable attendees included officials from the Ministries of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Agriculture and Food Security, Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, and Youth and Social Development. The Vice Chairman of Ikorodu North LGA, Hon. Al-Ameon Apanisile, along with several traditional rulers, also graced the occasion.
In their remarks, the Secretary General of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Fr. Michael Banjo, and the Executive Secretary/CEO of Caritas Nigeria, Fr. Peter Audu, urged the graduates to make effective use of the tools and knowledge they have acquired to improve their livelihoods and uplift their communities. The Director of Humanitarian Services at Caritas Nigeria, Nkese Udongwo, also highlighted the organization’s ongoing commitment to ensuring that vulnerable populations have access to essential services that enable them to live with dignity and purpose.
Graduates expressed heartfelt gratitude to the project funders, Caritas Nigeria, and its local partners for the life-changing opportunity. The atmosphere was one of joy, pride, and renewed hope for the future as participants looked forward to applying their new skills to create lasting impact within their communities.
