Ogun Boost SMEs, Empowers Rural Dwellers

    In its quest to promote entrepreneurship and empower indigents, the Ogun State Government through the UPLIFT Development Foundation, has embarked on a three-Day training workshop for the needy in Odeda Local Government, Opeji and Ilugun Local Council Development Areas, to boost small and medium scale entrepreneurship in the State.

          Speaking at the workshop held at Odeda Local Government Council Secretariat, Odeda, the wife of the governor and President, UPLIFT Development Foundation, Mrs.  Olunfunso Amosun said the training was aimed at encouraging rural dwellers to learn a trade of their choice, to enable them become self-reliant and contribute to the development and progress of the country.

          According to her, the programme was to complement efforts of the State Government in its mission to reduce poverty among the people, adding that the beneficiaries would be trained in custard making with soya and beans, as well as making of snacks such as; puff-puff, chin chin, doughnut, meat-pie, fish-pie, akaracrunchy and sausage rolls amongst others.

          Mrs. Amosun,  further stated that the training was geared towards putting smiles on the faces of indigent citizens, adding that assisting them to earn a living would boost their economic power and enable them cater for their children and other dependants.

          The Lead Resource Person, Mr. Victor Adelani, said the vocational training would afford the beneficiaries the opportunity to learn various snacks and cereals production, advising them to be serious with the training  and practice what they had learnt,  in order to be independent and also become employers of labour in the future.

          Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Balikiz Olawale an indigene of Odeda local government, commended the wife of the Governor and the state government for the privilege given them to benefit in the skill acquisition training, praying that their efforts in investing in the lives of the needy would not be in vain.

          While pledging that experience garnered from the training would be judiciously utilised, Olawale noted that the workshop would get many beneficiaries back on their feet and reduce poverty among rural dwellers, especially, women.

          Her words, “the workshop was impactful. This is a rear opportunity which l believe nobody can take away from us. Through this empowerment programme, we will be gainfully employed and would be able to sustain ourselves and our children without having to rely on our husband”.