…Graduands Pledge Massive Support for Governor Oyebanji
The wife of the Executive Chairman of Ikere Local Government, Mrs Iyabo Adamolekun, has empowered another set of youths and women through her skill acquisition and empowerment initiative aimed at promoting self reliance and economic development at the grassroots.
The programme, organised in collaboration with the Adult and Non-Formal Education Centre, Ikere Ekiti, trained 20 beneficiaries in various vocational skills and provided them with working tools including sewing machines, desktop computer sets, laptops, gas cylinders, catering burners and other equipment to enable them commence operations immediately.
At the graduation and empowerment ceremony held in Ikere Ekiti and attended by officials of the Ekiti State Ministry of Education, political office holders, and community stakeholders, beneficiaries were issued certificates of operation.
Speaking at the event, Mrs Adamolekun said the initiative was inspired by the wife of Governor Biodun Oyebanji, Dr Olayemi Oyebanji, whose passion for human development continues to motivate her interventions in youth and women empowerment.
She explained that the programme, which began in 2024, was driven by the belief that equipping people with skills and tools is key to sustainable livelihood and dignity.
“When I began this journey in 2024, it was driven by a simple but powerful conviction that if we give people skills, we give them dignity. In our first batch, over twenty five participants were trained and supported with the hope of becoming self reliant. Today, many of them are standing on their feet and contributing meaningfully to their families and communities,” she said.
Mrs Adamolekun noted that feedback from the first phase showed that some beneficiaries struggled to establish themselves due to lack of working tools despite training, which informed the decision to ensure full empowerment in the second phase.
“Training alone is not enough. Empowerment must be complete,” she added.
She cautioned beneficiaries against selling the tools provided and encouraged youths across the local government to embrace skill acquisition as a pathway to self reliance.
In a remark, the Ekiti State Commissioner for Education, Dr Adebimpe Aderiye, represented by the Area Education Officer for Ikere Local Government, commended Mrs Adamolekun for complementing government efforts in human capital development and youth empowerment.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of the Agency for Adult and Non-Formal Education, Mrs Modupe Falade, alongside the Board Member of the Agency, Hon. Omotayo Tokunbo, Pastor Kayode Oyebode, and Chief Segun Obanla, praised the initiative, describing it as a landmark empowerment programme and the first of its kind to be undertaken by a wife of a local government chairman across local government areas in Ekiti State, while urging other stakeholders to emulate the gesture.
Speaking on behalf of wives of local government chairmen present, Mrs Osaloni, wife of the Chairman of Ado Local Government, commended Mrs Adamolekun for her commitment to grassroots empowerment. Other wives present included Mrs Olorunfemi of Ikere West LCDA, Mrs Omoleye of Ido Osi Local Government, and Mrs Aladesanmi of Ado West LCDA.
Earlier, the Executive Chairman of Ikere Local Government, Hon. Olu Adamolekun, said sustainable empowerment must go beyond training to include provision of tools for beneficiaries to become self reliant. He pledged continued support for the Adult and Non-Formal Education Centre.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Elizabeth Ayodele and Oluwatobiloba Lawal expressed appreciation to Mrs Adamolekun for the opportunity, describing the programme as life changing.
The beneficiaries also pledged to mobilise massive grassroots support and votes for Governor Oyebanji in appreciation of his administration’s commitment to empowerment and inclusive development.
Dignitaries present included the Vice Chairman of Ikere Local Government, Hon. Temitope Ijasan, Secretary to the Local Government, Hon. Coker Alonge, APC Chairman in Ikere, Pastor Kayode Oyebode, Chief of Staff to the Council Chairman, Hon. Idowu Jegede, Heads of Local Administration (HLA), and Directors of the Local Government, alongside councillors, supervisors and advisers of Ikere Local Government.
-Ajoras Media
