Derin Phillips, an aspirant for the chairmanship seat of the Ikoyi-Obalende Local Council Development Area in Lagos State, has promised to tackle unemployment in the council by creating a scheme where youth can access soft loans for start-ups and pursue self-employment opportunities. Phillips, who is Special Senior Assistant (SSA) to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Lagos State Development and Property Corporation (LSDPC), pledged to work with relevant government agencies to promote technology and innovation in the council by creating digital centres to harness the potential of the youth. Phillips, who is contesting under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), stated this in an exclusive interview with BusinessDay on Wednesday. He noted that his administration would bring all-around development in the council, especially by providing infrastructure at the grassroots. "I would collaborate with relevant state and federal governments to make loans available for SMEs that is accessible to the youth, and support existing SMEs, because I believe by doing that, you are going to solve major issues," Phillips said.


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Speaking further, the aspirant said his five-point agenda, branded FAITH, outlines key focus areas: Financing and innovation; Access to social welfare; Innovation in education and technology; Transparency in governance; and Health and the environment. He revealed that over the years, his foundation had empowered thousands of kids in the council and across Lagos State through outreach programmes, promising to do more if elected. "Almost 10,000 people have been directly affected by my foundation," Phillips stated.
"We have had almost 15 outreach programs over the last five years, both in Ikeja, Asapa London and across the state. The reason why we do this is to make people understand that you can’t leave everything to the government to do," he explained. "My experience in the banking sector, entertainment, agric-business and real estate sectors has given me insight. It has given me creativity and dynamism that is very difficult to find, which I think is what I have," Phillips noted. "So, I am bringing all these skills to the table to try and better the grassroots, which is the most important place. If you impact the grassroots, you have the most important impact," he concluded.