Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke, Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi among other dignitaries on Monday lauded the development initiative og Olojudo of Ido-Osun Alayemore, Oba Olayinka Ishola Jokotola, as first 50 youths sponsored by the monarch to learn act of Adire making graduated from Nike Arts Gallary.
This is as the Olojudo pledged gifted each of the participants N50,000 as start up support.
The graduation ceremony was held at the Palace of Olojudo following the just concluded two-week adire making training. The graduates, dressed in beautiful Adire attires, also exhibited their products at the Palace.
InsightMedia recalled that the monarch during the last Osun Olojudo festival promised to empower 50 youths through the act of Adire making. The training comm
The training programme, initiated by the king during the cultural exhibition weeks ago, was organized in partnership with Nike Art Gallery and brought together participants drawn from secondary schools, higher institutions, and fresh graduates.
Representing Governor Ademola Adeleke at the event, the Commissioner for Government House Affairs, Hon. Soji Ajeigbe, commended the monarch for his vision and praised the initiative as a blend of culture and economic empowerment.
“Today is not just about celebrating the skills acquired by our young men and women; it is also about celebrating hope, culture, creativity and the brighter future of Osun State,” he said
Furthermore, “Adire is more than just a fabric. It is a story of our identity, an expression of our creativity and a vehicle for economic empowerment” he said. With the skills acquired, you can transform this craft into livelihood, wealth creation, and pride for Osun.
Governor Adeleke further encouraged the graduates to form co-operatives, leverage technology, and explore wider markets while assuring that the state government would continue to support initiatives that connect culture with innovation and enterprise.
HRM Oba Jokotola, speaking in an interview with Insight Media correspondent, explained that the empowerment programme was designed to give youths independence and opportunities for self-reliance.
“They can have their own minds and won’t depend on others for everything. Among them, we have students from higher institutions, secondary schools, and graduates. With this opportunity, I want them to key into it and make use of it to have a means of livelihood,” the monarch said.
He disclosed that the initiative would not stop with this batch, as plans were underway to commence a second round of training in the coming months. He also called on federal and state governments to support similar community-driven programmes by traditional rulers.
“Traditional rulers are closest to the people, and the government should encourage them by giving them a constitutional role. By doing so, we can better address issues like school dropouts and youth unemployment,” he emphasized.
Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee, Opeyemi Lasisi, in his welcome address, described the initiative as a lasting legacy for the community.
“This training and initiative, which has enhanced the spirit and capability of our people, was sponsored by the esteemed leader and custodian of our heritage, His Majesty Oba Olayinka Oyetole Olajubo,” Lasisi said.
The event featured cultural displays and exhibition of adire fabrics produced by the trainees, marking a new chapter in Ido-Osun’s quest to preserve its heritage while empowering its youths.
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