By Olamide Shoneye
No fewer than 33 youths in Ikorodu Division have been presented with vocational tools courtesy of the Ikorodu Division Empowerment and Alleviation-4-Youth (I.D.E.A.L 4-Youth) scheme.
The project, an initiative of the Ikorodu Division Youth Initiative (IDYI), was proudly sponsored by the Lagos State Commissioner for Agriculture, Ms Abisola Olusanya.
The presentation was done at Rotary Vocational Center, Igbogbo area of Ikorodu, Lagos, last Saturday.
In his remarks, a top APC chieftain and Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC) member, Asiwaju Olorunfunmi Basorun expressed his delight with the project, saying it will help to meaningfully engage youths in Ikorodu and reduce unemployment rate.
While stressing the need for government to invest in youth empowerment, he urged the beneficiaries to make the best use of the equipment given to them.
“To the graduands, I implore you to give back to the society whenever you succeed in your chosen fields as Abisola Olusanya has done,” Basorun added.
Also speaking, Board Chairman IDYI, Dr. Abiodun Fatai Abatan said the group was making history as the program reflected its core objective of empowering youths and transforming them into better citizens that will contribute to the societal development.
Abatan said, “The support that has been given to us by Hon. Abisola Olusanya shows that Ikorodu is moving ahead in terms of youth involvement in the developmental process. We are empowering trained and screened youths with 12 sewing machines, 10 makeup kits and 11 hairdressing gadgets.
“We are not just giving the vocational tools to any youth. We have a feedback mechanism that will ensure that they use them judiciously as a means of survival.”
Vice Chairman APC Lagos East, Chief Asipa Kaoli Olatunji Olusanya who was represented by Barrister Ade Ayeni, said he was impressed with the organisers of the program.
“Having an initiative of his kind and having youths as participants is really encouraging. However, this is a challenge to the graduands to become better at their respective vocations so they can help train others,” he said.
With hearts full of joy, past beneficiaries of Rotary Vocational Centre, Ulieh Frotress and Fatimo Ewetoye, narrated their experience with the scheme, saying it encouraged them to be masters of their crafts.
Also in attendance were the Director General Prince Adedoyin Jokotex Group, Mr Amusa Adeshina; Alhaji Azeez Oloshugbo; Principal of Rotary Vocational Centre, Mrs Onabanjo Adeola Risikat; Mrs Mustapha Bello; Mr Arun Elesho, among others.
