The Graduation Ceremony of over 500 participants of the SPEED UP LAGOS Anti-Poverty Squad Street-to-Street Training Programme is currently underway at Aladiye Town Hall, Maya, Ikorodu North LCDA.
The beneficiaries, comprising men, women and youths, successfully completed training in Gele & Make-up, AI Graphics Design, Catering and Tailoring, as part of efforts to promote skills development, entrepreneurship and poverty reduction within the community.
The programme was facilitated by Hon. Benson Titilayo Abosede, Councillor, Ward E2 Erikorodo and Leader of the House, Ikorodu North LCDA.
Convener Calls for Empowerment and Political Support
In her opening remarks, the convener, Hon. Benson Titilayo Abosede, congratulated the beneficiaries for completing the training and expressed appreciation to everyone who contributed to the success of the programme.
She said the initiative was designed to equip residents with practical skills that could help them become self-reliant, establish businesses and create opportunities for others.
Hon. Abosede urged the graduates not to stop at receiving their certificates but to put the knowledge acquired into practice and make the training a foundation for sustainable livelihoods.
She also called on the beneficiaries and residents to continue supporting the APC, highlighting some of the achievements of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, including the student loan programme, increase in the national minimum wage to ₦70,000, expansion of CNG initiatives, major road infrastructure projects and ongoing reforms in the economy and tax system.
The convener subsequently appealed for support for Dr. Obafemi Hamzat for Governor, Senator Adetokunbo Abiru for Senator, Hon. Babajimi Adegoke Benson for Member of the House of Representatives, and Hon. Gafaar Oluwatoyin Bolowotan for Lagos State House of Assembly, Ikorodu Constituency I, as well as other APC candidates nationwide.
Gafaar Bolowotan Commends Convener
Speaking at the ceremony, Hon. Gafaar Oluwatoyin Bolowotan, APC candidate for Lagos State House of Assembly, Ikorodu Constituency I, commended Hon. Benson Titilayo Abosede for the initiative and her commitment to empowering members of the community.
He urged the beneficiaries to make effective use of the skills acquired and turn their training into productive businesses and sources of income.
Bolowotan also encouraged the participants to support the APC in the forthcoming elections, stressing the need for continuity in government programmes and development initiatives.
He highlighted what he described as some of President Tinubu’s achievements, including the ₦70,000 minimum wage, NELFUND student loan programme, CNG initiatives and ongoing infrastructure projects, while urging residents to vote for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, Senator Adetokunbo Abiru, Hon. Babajimi Adegoke Benson and himself, Hon. Gafaar Bolowotan, alongside other APC candidates.
Beneficiaries Appreciate the Initiative
Five selected beneficiaries who received support packages as part of the empowerment programme also expressed their appreciation to the convener and organisers.
A Gele & Make-up trainee thanked Hon. Abosede for creating the opportunity to acquire a skill that could become a source of income, saying the training had given her greater confidence to pursue her career.
An AI Graphics Design beneficiary described the programme as an opportunity to gain relevant digital skills and appreciated the organisers for exposing participants to modern technology and creative opportunities.
A Catering beneficiary expressed gratitude for the practical training, saying the knowledge gained would help her establish and grow a catering business.
A Tailoring beneficiary thanked the convener for investing in the participants and said the skill acquired would help her become more financially independent.
The fifth beneficiary described the programme as a life-changing opportunity, appreciating Hon. Abosede for reaching out to residents and providing them with skills that could improve their livelihoods.
The five beneficiaries who received support packages also thanked the organisers for the additional assistance, saying it would help them take the first practical steps towards applying their newly acquired skills.
The ceremony continues with the presentation of certificates and empowerment support to the graduating participants, marking another phase in the SPEED UP LAGOS initiative’s effort to promote skills acquisition and economic empowerment in Ikorodu North.
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