Tinubu Reaffirms Skills Drive As FG Empowers 700 In Oyo
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to skills development and sustainable livelihoods as 700 beneficiaries graduated from a 10-day Federal Government vocational training programme in Oyo State.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Technical, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Education (TVEE), Dr Abiola Arogundade, stated this on Friday in Ibadan at the graduation ceremony.
The training, which organized under the National Poverty Reduction with Growth Strategy (NPRGS), aimed to empower the beneficiaries with the appropriate skills for economic independence.
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Speaking at the graduation ceremony, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Technical, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Education (TVEE), Dr. Abiola Arogundade, said the initiative reflects President Tinubu’s determination to bridge Nigeria’s skills gap and empower young Nigerians for economic independence.
According to her, the programme is designed to promote self-reliance, enhance employability and equip beneficiaries with practical, market-relevant skills to build sustainable livelihoods.
She disclosed that the 700 beneficiaries include 30 trained in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and graphics, 85 in makeup artistry, 85 in fashion design and 500 in digital economy-related skills.
“This project is very dear to my heart because I come from Aremo, Ibadan. But it is also very dear to the heart and vision of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whose determination to close Nigeria’s skills gap is a major driver of the mandate we have been given,” Arogundade said.
She added that President Tinubu believes young Nigerians need opportunities, skills and tools to compete effectively and achieve economic independence, while urging stakeholders to support initiatives that equip youths with relevant skills.
In his remarks, the Senator representing Oyo South and APC governorship candidate in Oyo State, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, said the initiative would contribute to poverty reduction not only in Oyo but across the country, noting that it was part of measures introduced by the Tinubu administration to cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal.
Similarly, Senator Yunus Akintunde, representing Oyo Central, commended Arogundade for facilitating the programme and urged beneficiaries to make productive use of the equipment provided.
The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, represented by Shola Ladoja, also lauded the Federal Government and Arogundade for the initiative, expressing optimism that it would improve livelihoods and reduce poverty.
The ceremony was attended by youths, representatives of non-governmental organizations, politicians, traditional rulers, entrepreneurs and academics.
Meanwhile all beneficiaries were awarded certificates and provided with start-up kits to support their transition into self-employment.
BY OUR REPORTERS
