The federal lawmaker representing Oluyole federal constituency at the lower chamber of the National Assembly, Hon. Tolulope Akande-Sadipe, on Monday, revealed that she has trained one hundred and ten members in her constituency on various entrepreneurial skills.
Akande-Sadipe, stated this during the graduation of the trainees at her constituency office in Ibadan, adding that the training was initiated to discuss, share and provide guidance for the strengthening of entrepreneurial skills.
She added that youths and women were the focus of the 2-day training session, which was done in collaboration with the New Partnership for Africa’s Development, NEPAD, and Gio-Bisiano Nigeria Limited.
Sixty-six persons were trained in various skills, ranging from tye and dye (Adire), with practical session held in Abeokuta, while 44 persons were trained in weaving of local fabric, (Aso-Oke) in Oyo town.
Speaking at the occasion, Hon. Akande-Sadipe, who chairs the House of Representatives’ Committee on Diaspora Affairs, applauded the trainees for devoting their time to learn.
She said, “You have the zeal to learn. This shows you are serious and ready to take up the responsibilities of the future.
“The zeal I have seen in this programme connotes that Nigerian youths are not lazy at all, rather they need the opportunities and right environment to thrive.”
While further urging the beneficiaries to utilize the opportunity judiciously and also take steps to teach others so that those around them will benefit from their knowledge, Hon Akande-Sadipe said that it was obvious that several hindrances and problems inhibited entrepreneurial development, but to avoid this, the ‘strategic Training Workshop’ was initiated by her constituency office to help the constituents in developing entrepreneurial abilities.
She noted that the training would guide the trainees on how to start their businesses and effective ways to sustain them successfully, while she also promised to help polish the skills of youths and women from time-to-time.
She added, “This training consists of a structured training process to develop them as entrepreneurs. They would acquire requisite skills and necessary capabilities to play their roles in the society effectively,”
Additionally, she advised the trainees to access survival funds or loans from government, initiated to support Nigerians that are into small scale businesses.
Speaking further, she charged them thus, “Nigeria must be self-sustaining and you are the future of Nigeria. Therefore, this training is essential. Our indigenous fabrics should be tapped into for revenue generation and I have nudged the federal government look inward.”
The empowered constituents, who include residents and indigenes of Oluyole federal constituency thanked the lawmaker, saying that she has demonstrated virtues of a true leader.
The participants were given certificates of attendance, comprehensive training manuals and start-up funds.
