By Shina Abubakar Osogbo

Not less than 100 youths residents in Osun State were trained in fishery and also given N7.5 million business grant towards creating employment opportunities for the populace.

The training and empowerment grant which was sponsored by the son of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Femi Oyetola, has beneficiaries from the 30 Local Government Council Areas and the Area office in Modakeke.

The three days training programme which was held in Iragbiji, was targeted at promoting self reliance and creating job opportunities among the youth populace.

In his remark, Femi Oyetola disclosed that he decided to empower youths with skills and grants having dished out cash donations in the past, which did not yielded the targeted results.

Oyetola who was represented by former Senior Special Assistant to Osun State Governor on Students’ Affairs and Social Mobilisation, Kehinde Ayantunji, said “I decided to roll out this gesture to complement the ongoing Renew Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.

“Also, I observed that the current government in Osun State is not paying attention to youth empowerment, hence, we must rally the youths for the future. Once the youths are empowered future is guaranteed. More of this gesture is coming. 100 youths benefited and N7.5million business grant are distributed as startup.

“I decided to venture into skills training and grants distribution to create wealth for the youth populace who will in return create jobs for others across the State”.

The Olororuwo of Ororuwo, Oba Kamorudeen Adeyanju lamented over spate of social vices propagated by youths, noting that the initiative by Femi Oyetola will tackle restiveness.

He urged the youths to bear their burden while they are young and underscore the importance of hardwork and diligence to fight poverty in the society.

The Aragbiji of Iragbiji, Oba Abdulrasheed Olabomi who was represented by the Olupona, Chief Saheed Adeleke, said urged the beneficiaries to utilise the training effectively, be employer of labour and make the best use of the fund.