The Chairman of Oyo State Agency for Youths Development, Hon. Adebowale Adebayo Falana, has pledged to empower thousands of youths in vocational works and skills acquisition in the state.
He noted that this initiative would aim at enhancing the livelihood of traders and artisans in the state, providing access to modern equipment, offering mentorship as well as creating formidable networking and access to government support.
The Chairman made the assurance on Wednesday at the 4th seminar edition of the Progressive Tradesmen and Artisans Association of Nigeria (PROTAAN), Youth Wing, Oyo State chapter, held at the House of Chief, state assembly complex, Ibadan.
Speaking further, Hon. Adebowale praised the sustainable development drive of His Excellency Engr Seyi Makinde FNSE in empowering the youth constituency across the State in vocational Works, skills acquisition as well as getting access to necessary government support for their businesses to thrive.
He commended the Progressive Tradesmen and Artisans Association of Nigeria (PROTAAN), Youth Wing, Oyo State chapter for the 4th edition of the seminar program on nation-building, stressing that the agency, through the approval of His Excellency Engr Seyi Makinde, will equip young people with vocational skills and support traders and artisans to reduce unemployment, promote economic growth and enhance the overall well-being of the community in Pacesetter State, as well as facilitate loans and grants for them.
According to Adebowale, the Oyo State Agency for Youth Development will start unfolding program of the agency which shall based on training and resources to support young people in developing their skills in various trades such as electronics and electrical work, plumbing, carpentry, phone repairs, soap making, hairdressing, aluminum products, Bag making, Adire wears, Shoe making, tailoring, Painting, Printing Press, etc in partnership with Protaan, Oyo State chapter.
Adebowale, however, acknowledged the proactiveness of PROTAAN for their foresight, ideology, productive seminar, and backup support to government ideas on skills acquisition and vocational works, noting that both the agency and PROTAAN shall collaborate to achieve limitless opportunity.
“We’ll ensure that thousands of youth are empowered in skills acquisition before our tenure expires, so soon, we’ll be calling each association for their subvention in a transparent manner”.
Also speaking at the event, the special adviser to the Governor of Local government matters, Hon. Mrs. Ramata Agberemi Dabo (RAD), urged all business enterprises to be committed and serious to their vocational skill, modern-day creativity, and innovation aimed to meet market standards.
“As business owners, every great story is within you; your business must meet the demands of the people; creativity must be embedded in your works while the ideology must convince the investors, customers, and others.” She stated.
Equally, the executive Chairman of Ona-Ara local government, Hon. Dr. Iwindapo Temitope Glorious, reiterated his support for the PROTAAN, Oyo State chapter, claiming that they’re the strength of the nation while imploring them not to limit their creative ideas and urged them to be more innovative.
He assured the association of his executive support, stressing that vocational experts were already in his blueprints to transform Ona-Ara local government/grassroots development.
Earlier in his speech, the President of PROTAAN and the Asiwaju of Olunde, Salawudeen Kamorudeen Adeniyi, commended the Ministry of Trade and Commerce for their support, stressing that the essence of the event is to encourage the members to be more productive in their work with innovation and creativity.
He also acknowledged the excellent performance of the Chairman of Oyo State Agency for Youths Development, Hon. Adebowale Adebayo Falana, noting that he’s indeed transforming the youth Constituency in pacesetter since his assumptions of office.
“We believe that our 4th seminar program has the potential to transform the lives of thousands of young people in Pacesetter State, and we shall work towards achieving such a feat”. He added.
In attendance were CSP Babatunde Lasisi (special Fraud unit, Lagos), GLO representative, different youth groups, and Chairman Ona-Ara local. government, Mrs. Muraina Nancy Olayinka (E.S Agency for Youths Development), SSA Local government, Mrs. Ramata Dabo Agberemi RAD, representative of the commissioner for youth and sports, and several others.
