OBF BEGINS FIRST BATCH OF YOUTH EMPOWERMENT AND SKILL ACQUISITION PROGRAMME

Not less than 50 youths in Abeokuta North Local government in Ogun State, Nigeria, have benefitted in the kick-off phase of the empowerment and skill acquisition programme of Oluseyi Bisiriyu Foundation.

The flag-off ceremony which was held at the Abeokuta North Local Government Secretariat had in attendance some prominent members of the state government to grace the occasion; while adhering to the government’s policy on social gathering and social distancing.

The beneficiaries of the program were people from different towns and communities within the local government area and were specifically allocated to their assigned vocational instructors according to their different areas of interest which include: Fashion Designing, Hair Dressing, Barbing, Shoe Making, and Graphics Designing.

The decision of the Foundation to organize the empowerment program in conjunction with the National youth Council of Nigeria is due to the fact that the National Youth council of Nigeria is the only institution with a concentration of dedicated youths with ambition in Nigeria, the only conglomeration of youths where youths of various social strata can be found.

Speaking at the event, Hon. (Engr.) Segun Kaka, who represented the founder of the foundation, congratulated the youth for having the opportunity to benefit from the first batch of the skills acquisition and empowerment program; while encouraging the youth not to take such opportunity for granted.

Hon. Kaka further assure the beneficiaries that the foundation will not leave them after the completion of the training but also empower them with necessary equipment needed to practice the skills acquired.

Meanwhile the director of Community development and Social Welfare Department, Mr. Dauda Oladele, who represented the local government, lauded the foundation for deeming it fit to invest in the lives of youths, promising that the local government authority will also ensure that the beneficiaries make a judicious use of the opportunity.

He made further calls for more philanthropists to also see a reason to invest in the lives of youths, while describing the Ogun State governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, as a man that cherish individuals who have decided to compliment government efforts in areas of  development in the state.

In his own address, Comrade Abdul-jabar Ayelaagbe, Chairman National youth council of Nigeria, Ogun State Chapter, applauded the Foundation for organizing the empowerment program through the body, saying that the organization will forever be grateful to the Foundation, and promising to ensure that the program cuts across all the 20 local government areas in the state.

Comr. Emmanuel Ojo, the coordinator, National youth council of Nigeria Abeokuta North Local government, expresses his sincere appreciation to the Foundation, and the leadership of the local government, charging the beneficiaries to distinguish themselves at their various areas of learning.

Mr, Kehinde Ademuyiwa, the public Relations Officer of the Foundation, in an interview with news men, explains that It was part of the mission of the Foundation to improve the lives of youths with a vision to make them become self-reliant in the pursuit of happiness for themselves, their families, community, the state, and the country at large.

“We believe that this opportunity will enable the youth to become job creators rather than job seekers” he said.

He further explains that the Foundation will continue to engage in various activities to complement government efforts in order to ensure a decent and a developed society.

One of the beneficiaries, Ibukun Ogunbiyi, who spoke on behalf of other beneficiaries, appreciated the Foundation and the National youth Council for giving them the opportunity to acquire these different skills.

Speaking on behalf of the instructors, Mrs. Aminat Ariyo, promised that the instructors will perform their very best to give the best instruction to all beneficiaries.