Osun Local Council Empowers 474 Youths 

By Ayobami Agboola, Osogbo

No fewer than 474 persons have benefited from the empowerment programme organised by Irewole North-East  Local Council Development Area, Wasinmi-Ikire, Osun State.

Hon. Adeboye Tajudeen Opeyemi, Irewole North-East LCDA Council Boss

The empowerment programme which was held at the council’s secretariat on Friday, witnessed the convocation of youths who had undergone training in tailoring and farming among others.

CityMirrorNews reports that the beneficiaries were selected indigent youths, women and farmers drawn from all the 36 units  of the LCDA.

The Executive Chairman of the Council, Hon. Adeboye Tajudeen Opeyemi, explained that the empowerment programme was aimed at liberating the youths in the area from the unemployment crisis confronting the country and that it was designed to mould them to be self-reliant.

He referred to the gesture as a clear testimony and seriousness of his administration’s commitment towards banishing poverty, promotion of quality living and sustainable development, which, according to him, is embedded in the Governor  Rauf Aregbesola six points integral Action Plan.

Describing empowerment as the process of increasing the capacity of individuals or groups to make choices and to transform it to desire action, Opeyemi said he would leave no stone unturned to ensure that the people of the council area become financially independent through employment.

He noted that the four beneficiaries of sewing machine passed through the training session for a period of three months, while 100 farmers , 120 financial grant beneficiaries and 250 beneficiaries of food and cloth fabrics, under relief materials, were fully screened and certified in their various communities.

He said the distributed items and financial grant  will go along to assist the beneficiaries to be self-reliant and promote their living standard, hence giving them the opportunity to contribute their quotas towards the development of the Council.

The council boss said: ” we would continue to pursue youth and women development policy with renewed vigor. More skill acquisition program would be organized in no distant time for another set of youths and women folk while strategies for marketing their finished products would be worked out accordingly”

Promising to continue to compliment the efforts of Governor Aregbesola in his bid to transform the state to the greater heights, Opeyemi appreciated the Governor for his untiring support for the development of the LCDA programmes that have direct impact on the people at the grassroots.

The Leader of the Osun House Irewole North-East LCDA, Hon. Ademola Owoade said the gesture was part of their efforts to fulfil the promise they made during the electioneering campaign.

Owoade further explained that the empowerment programme was designed as an avenue for them to give back to the people at the council area.

He said: ” I want to tell you that no excuse for us not to work, Governor Aregbesola had already set a standard for us to follow at whatever condition we find ourselves.”

“We must work for our people, we must do the bidding of our people who gave us their mandate and entrusted on us their right.” Owoade said.

Among the deginateries  at the empowerment programme are the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftancy Affairs, Barr Kolapo Alimi, Hon. Akinola Olasunkanmi, Hon. Owoade, Com. Wale Adebisi, Local Government Chairmen, traditional rulers, religious leaders, market men and women among others