In its aim to reduce unemployment rate and poverty level among its citizens, the Prince Dapo Abiodun’s government in Ogun State has trained and empowered over 914 artisans on different vocations across the State.
Speaking in Abeokuta during the presentation of the startup kits to the beneficiaries organised by Ogun State Skills Funds, a World Bank Project coordinated by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, the Commissioner in the Ministry, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu, noted that the motive was to make people contribute meaningfully to the economic growth of the State.
Prof. Abayomi, according to Mr. Ayoola Obadimu Information/Public Relations Officer, MOES&T,explained that people have been facing with the challenges of setting up a business after completing their training session, hence the provision of the equipment to lift the burden off the people and thereby making them self-independent and employer of labour.
The Commissioner stated that the beneficiaries were trained on different vocations, such as hospitality and catering, garment making, fishery, masonry, early childhood, carpentry, welding and iron bending, embellishments and cosmetology, submitting that, they were well equipped with needed gadgets.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Mrs. Oluwatosin Oloko, appreciated the State Government for the provision of funds to train the beneficiaries and for the purchase of the gadgets, enjoining them to use the instrument for profit making.
Also, the Project Coordinator, Ogun State Economic Transformation Projects, Mrs. Mosun Owoodunsi, congratulated the people for the completion of their apprenticeship, encouraging them to make good use of the items, so that government would be motivated to do more.
In his overview, the Skills Specialist, Ogun State Skills Fund, Engr. Segun Fatoki, disclosed that the State Government in collaboration with GIZ were coming up with a job centre where employers could be connected with potential employees, adding that a work hub would also be opened to link up artisans and OSF graduates with people that need their services and where they could come and borrow or use equipment.
Expressing their gratitude for the event, the two of the Training Service Providers, Mr. Segun Olutade and Mrs. Folasade Odeyemi, appreciated the government for the initiative towards reducing unemployment, creating jobs and reducing crime as well as turn the State into job hub.
In their appreciative notes, two of the beneficiaries, Mr. Ibrahim Kuye and Mrs. Omotayo Ijaduade said initially they thought it was not going to happen, but now they could see the reality and appreciated government for the empowerment.
Packaged by Hazeez Ayansola
