In a bold move to inspire creativity and entrepreneurship among young people, LadeNigeria has successfully concluded its first-ever Children’s Shoemaking Summer Bootcamp, a five-week training programme that equipped participants with practical shoemaking skills and life values. It was held at its Osogbo factory.
The initiative, which ran for five weeks, provided children with practical training in cutting and measuring leather, stitching, shaping patterns, and assembling footwear. Beyond technical skills, the programme also instilled courage, patience, discipline, and teamwork in participants.
At the end of the training, the children proudly showcased and wore shoes they had crafted themselves — a highlight that organizers described as proof of the initiative’s impact.
Two anonymous sponsors supported the bootcamp by covering fees for 15 children. While one sponsor requested that the best five be rewarded, LadeNigeria chose to provide starter packs for every participant, enabling them to continue practicing their craft at home. The packs contained essential shoemaking tools including a lightweight hammer, scissors, leather, awl, thread, silver pen, sandpaper, and tape rule.
Speaking on the success of the programme, Monsurat Ololade, who represented the LadeNigeria team, expressed gratitude to sponsors, staff, and participants.
“Your dedication turned an idea into impact. And to our Future Makers, may you carry forward the passion, courage, and creativity you discovered here. The future truly sits in your hands,” she said.
Ololade added that the company intends to expand the initiative, promising that more training opportunities will be unveiled in the near future as part of LadeNigeria’s commitment to empowering young Nigerians through innovation and skills development.
The initiative, tagged “Future Makers,” marks the company’s debut in child-focused vocational empowerment, with stakeholders describing it as a model for sustainable skill development in Nigeria.
