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By Bimbola Oyesola
Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies (MINILS), Ilorin, Kwara State, on Thursday, empowered 25 youths with sewing machines and other tools after a month-long training.
The grand finale of the month-long training and empowerment programme organised by MINILS at the institute was the first batch of the programme.
In his address, the director-general of the institute, Issa Aremu, stated that the programme was aimed at complementing the Federal Government’s eight-point agenda with respect to job creation and poverty alleviation, adding that it would improve the employability of youths in the country.
The DG said the institute would work towards expanding it to accommodate more skills as well as beneficiaries in areas such as photography, cinematography, tie and dye as well as agro-business.
He further charged the beneficiaries to consider their empowerment as an investment and strive to invest in others.
One of the beneficiaries who spoke on behalf of others, Miss Mary Frances, expressed deep appreciation to the Institute for creating a pathway that has transformed them from job seekers to entrepreneurs, and pledged that they will work hard to justify the efforts and resources the Institute had committed in ensuring the success of the programme.
Dignitaries who included KWARA representative of the Minister of Labour and Employment, Mr Michael Orodiran, the Onikotun of Ikotun, HRH Dr. Abdulrazaq Adebayo Abioye, the State Coordinator of National Directorate of Employment (NDE), Mrs Folashade Lanre-Ogun as well as the Co-Founder of Lifefount Foundation, Dr (Mrs) Yemisi Adeyeye, commended the Institute for initiating such a programme that will take youths off the streets, and charged the beneficiaries to keep updating their knowledge and skills in the ever evolving world of fashion, as well as “maximize the opportunities digital technology offers them in building their skills in the trade.”
Other dignaties who graced the occasion include the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Workforce Strategy and Enlightenment Centre (NIWOSEC), Mrs Ann Oluleye, the Director of Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency in Nigeria (SMEDAN), Kwara State as well as representatives of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and Senior Association of Universities, Teaching Hospitals, Research and Affiliated Institutions (SSAUTHRAI).
