No fewer than 80 youths drawn from different stratas of life participated in a 3 – day intensive training in fabric designing, tie and dye (adire), batik, marketing and export opportunities.
The event was organized by Rep Bamidele Salam representing Ede North, Ede South, Egbedore, Ejigbo federal constituency as part of his determination to reduce scourge of unemployment among budding youths in the federal constituency.
The training program which began on Monday 7th of September 2020, got to a climax on Wednesday as participants were given start-up grants as well as essential kits required for smooth take off by participants. Rep. Salam said at Adeleke Hall, venue of the presentation ceremony that the empowerment was part of his efforts aimed at building entrepreneural capacity of youths in his constituency especially in an industry that has proved resilient, sustainable and dependable source of wealth creation for several generations.
The training which formed part of the Lawmaker’s constituency development projects as captured in the 2020 National Budget is organised in partnership with Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute (NSPRI), Ilorin, Kwara state.
While Rep. Salam is the lead facilitator, the coordinating agency, NSPRI in conjunction with other tested and trusted hands in the industry took turns to train participants on several skill sets during the intensive training. The Awo born journalist turned politician emphasized the need to train youths in different skill sets in order to enable them create wealth for themselves, attain self sufficiency with the hope of becoming employers of labour as against remaining on a spot of perpetual job seekers.
He pointed out that unemployment has remained the biggest challenge of developing and hugely populated countries like Nigeria, describing the trend as not only worrisome but very dangerous for the polity He enjoined the participants to take the opportunity of the grants seriously as such gesture was a better way of teaching them how to fish than giving them fish that is practically unsustainable.
Advising participants at the occasion, Timi of Ede land, HRM, Oba Munirudeen Adesola Lawal, Laminisa the 1st, charged them to see the grants given to them by their representative, Hon Bamidele Salam as a seed money which is not meant to be eaten or squandered on frivolities. He likened eating seed money to killing a tree crop seedling that is expected to planted and nurtured to bear intermittent and profitable fruits for the cultivator. Oba Adesola who described the participants as his children, eulogized Rep Bamidele Salam as God’s sent at a time unemployment has become worryingly prevalent in the country and especially in the federal constituency.
In his speech, the state Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Elder Sunday Akanfe Atidade represented by the State Women Leader of the party, Mrs Alice Omowumi Otunla showered accolades on Rep Bamidele Salam for his visionary strides achieved since he assumed office as representative of the good people of Ede Federal Constituency. He said the PDP was impressed with the positive disposition of Rep. Salam to fighting unemployment among teeming youths in the federal constituency, adding that, the party was proud to be associated with his contributions in the National Assembly and other laudable initiatives he has brought to the people urging him not to relent in that spirit.
While appreciating efforts by Rep. Salam in their respective Remarks, Representatives of the coordinating agency, consultant and other stakeholders in the constituency stressed the need for youths to acquire skills that will accord them self sufficiency and become proud employers of labour.
Earlier on Wednesday, participants were taken to the prestigious Nike Arts Gallery at Dada Estate in Osogbo for further exposure to practical rudiments of tie and dye. Rep Bamidele expressed readiness to partner with the gallery to strengthen knowledge already impacted on the participants.
Visibly elated participants, after receiving start-up grants and kits, promised to make the best out of their experience in the course of the 3 days intensive training program.
Various prizes, both in cash and clothing materials were awarded to outstanding participants including a teenager, Oluwaseyi Adesola of Latokan compound, Ede North local governmen, who was awarded full scholarship by Rep Bamidele Salam for his industrious conduct at the event.
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