Chairman of Ejigbo Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Aare Taoheed Adebayo Taiwo, has urged the 600 graduates of the council’s Three-Week Skills Acquisition Programme to translate the knowledge and practical skills acquired into viable enterprises.
This, he said, will promote self-reliance, create sustainable livelihoods, and contribute meaningfully to the socio-economic development of the council.
Taiwo spoke during the graduation held at the Council Secretariat, Ejigbo
Through a partnership with the Blessed Gumpat Foundation, the council trained the participants with hands-on vocational and entrepreneurial training in baking and catering, home essentials production, shoe and belt making, headwear and Auto-Gele, CCTV and solar installation, makeup and gele artistry, Photography and Video Production, Drone, Fashion Design, hairdressing, DJ and music production, among other marketable trades.
He described the occasion as a significant milestone in the council’s efforts to empower youths and women. He noted that practical skills have become indispensable in today’s evolving economy, as they create opportunities for self-employment, income generation, and sustainable economic growth.
‘Skills acquisition empowers individuals to create opportunities for themselves, generate income, and become catalysts for development within their communities. By equipping our youths and women with vocational and entrepreneurial skills, we are fostering a culture of innovation, enterprise, and productivity that will have lasting benefits.
We recognise that the greatest resource of any society is its people. By investing in human capital, we are strengthening families, stimulating local economic growth, and laying the foundation for a more prosperous and resilient community,’ he said.
Executive Director of the Blessed Gumpat Foundation, Dr. Prisca Timpaul, urged the graduates to put the knowledge and skills acquired into productive use, reminding them that they are now ambassadors of Ejigbo LCDA whose success and conduct would reflect the impact of the programme.
Another highlight of the ceremony was the presentation of the Humanitarian Prestigious Award to the Chairman by the Director General of Edsea Business School, Prof. Olu Osadolor Kotoye, in recognition of his contributions to human capital development and sustained support for youth and women.
A beneficiary, Azeez Zusan, described the initiative as life-changing and pledged to make productive use of the knowledge gained, assuring the council that the investment made in them would yield positive results.