Over fifteen thousand youths and women in Ogun State have benefited from the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development Economic Empowerment Scheme since its establishment.
Commissioner in the Ministry, Mrs. Funmilayo Efuwape revealed this in Abeokuta at the 2020/2021 Convocation/Matriculation of Batches A and B of trainees of Women Development Center.
Efuwape, represented by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Women Affairs, Hon. Adijat Olaleye-Oladapo said that “over the years, more than fifteen thousand youths and women in the State have benefited from the Ministry’s Economic Empowerment Scheme and as at today a total of 114 trainees are graduating, while 140 trainees are matriculating”.
She said the beneficiaries were trained in hairdressing, fashion designing, catering and make-up, among others, enjoining the graduands to ensure that the knowledge acquired be put to productive use as it would eradicate poverty in the society.
Also speaking, Special Adviser to the Governor, Hon. Adijat Olaleye-Oladapo, represented by the Director of Rehabilitation Services in the Ministry, Mr. Kehinde Egbeolowo said in Nigeria today, vocational training has become extremely important to make the students employable, pointing out that the enrollment of the trainees for capacity building would help in identifying their strengths and weaknesses and the need to work on them.
In her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Melutia Ogunremi congratulated the graduands for the successful completion of the training, encouraging the matriculating students to be dedicated to the training, abide with the rules and regulations of the Center, as well as ensuring that the opportunity given to pursue their goals of becoming self-sufficient is not wasted.
She said the Ministry had always given support to the graduands through the help of some Non-Governmental Organisations, adding that it would continue to give support and start up kits to them.
The best graduating students were given start up kits ranging from gas cookers, sewing machines, hairdressing dryers and make -up kits, among others.
Speaking on behalf of other beneficiaries, the best graduating student in fashion designing, Miss Esther Daramola, appreciated the State government for the empowerment programme and start-up kits given to them.
