By Chris Onuoha

Not fewer than 30 beneficiaries who were selected from all the Local Government Areas in Osun State made up the participants that were drawn for the flag-off of a skill acquisition programme under an NGO, ‘Esther Adeleke Humanitarian Foundation Empowerment and Skills Acquisition Programme’ tagged; ‘Empowering communities, building a better tomorrow.’

The event held on Friday, February 9, at Imole House, Ogooluwa, Oshogbo, Osun State capital was an empowerment initiative by the wife of the Osun State Governor, Her Excellency, Ngozi Abeni Adeleke whose interest is to empower the youths for a better tomorrow.

The training programme, schemed to last for a year will see the lucky beneficiaries engage in intensive skill acquisition training that includes computer training and graphics design, soap making, catering and shoe making, photography, fashion design and cosmetology among others.  After the training, the 30 participants will be supplied with working tools, equipment and seed funds to start up their businesses. 

Erelu Ngozi Adeleke whose foundation has engaged with other empowerment programmes within Osun State has been consistent in giving the lives of Osun indigenes a meaning through various empowerment programmes including girl-child education initiatives among others.

Flagging off the project, Yeyelua Dr. Mrs. Modupeola Adeleke Sanni who was the special guest advised the programme beneficiaries to take the training seriously for their benefit. “You should know that it is your life and you have to face and concentrate to learn what the facilitators are teaching. I believe, this is one opportunity in life you don’t have to toil with it, and God willing, you will be successful and make a good impact with any skill you have chosen to learn,” she said.

The royal father of the day, His Royal Majesty, Oba Michael Odunayo Ajayi JP, Arowotawaya II, Elerinmo of Erinmo- Ijesa, Osun State in his fatherly advice counselled the 30 beneficiaries to count themselves lucky to be among the pioneer participants of the project and to take the programme seriously. According to the monarch, he told the beneficiaries that no knowledge is lost especially when it is a practical-oriented programme.  

He said, “It is worrisome that in Nigeria, everybody is focusing on academic certification to move on in life. As a result of this, students don’t just read for exams, they cram their books to pass exams to get certification, and in the process, they know nothing, with no skills to show. It is worth noting that in most foreign countries, a certificate is of no value without practical experience to show and to add value to society. I appeal to you to put effort and learn the skills very well because every skill you have,  will make you a better citizen and add value to the economy.”

Her Excellency, Erelu Ngozi Abeni Adeleke in her goodwill message to the beneficiaries admonished the participants to put more zeal and passion into the programme. She noted that it is what the youths of today need to advance in life.

“I picked the participants from each of the local governments in Osun State. The criteria is that the participants must be young, vibrant and passionate about developing skills that will carry them on in life. They will be engaged on intensive training in various vocations listed for the programme. We want to train impactful youths who will be change agents in society. Today, young people are vibrant, creative and exhibit lots of energy to do positive things. I initiated the project to channel such energy meaningfully and also empower them to be self-reliant and independent,” she said.

Also speaking, one of the trainers, Sheriffat Ogundare mentioned that the programme came at the right time when the youths needed to be engaged positively, adding that it is a lifetime viable initiative that will benefit the participants and would also bring additional income to their homes.

Interacting with one of the beneficiaries, she was very enthusiastic about the initiative. “I am very happy to be one of the beneficiaries today. Having a pre-knowledge of fashion and cosmetics, I will use this opportunity to upgrade my practical experience including the start-up funds that will help me to set up my shop after training. I thank Her Excellency for this project and wish it will be sustained to benefit others,” she said.