Skills acquisition is a weapon that for reducing poverty in the country and tasked the youths and women to be more productive by acquiring vocational skills to earn a living rather than scouting for white collar jobs. She said this during the graduation ceremony of participants of the Vocational Skill Acquisition Training and Empowerment of women and unemployed youths held at Sagamu Town Hall, Sagamu Local Government, Sagamu on the 19th of April, 2013. “I believe in hard-work and teaching people how to fish rather than giving them fish. When an individual acquires a skill and put it to use, such a person will be able to make ends meet, thereby becoming gainfully employed and will be able to put food on her table,” she said. She called on other local government chairmen to emulate the initiative of Sagamu local government and boost small and medium scale entrepreneurship by engaging the youths and women in vocational skill training that would ensure their future and improve the socio-economic power of people at the grass root level. According to her, learning a skill would enable an individual to be self – employed and even become an employer of labor saying that it was necessary for every individual to acquire a skill irrespective of their educational background as way of improving the economy of the community, state and the nation. Mrs. Amosun presented certificates and empowerment tools to beneficiaries who were trained in bead and hat making, tie and dye, small chops among others and advised them to effectively utilise the experience they had gained to be able to make ends meet and feed their family members. In her address, the Chairman, Sagamu Local Government, Mrs. Olufumilayo Efuwape noted that employment generation through vocational skill acquisition training was one of the cardinal programmes of her administration and would do everything within the resources of the local governments to better the lots of women and youths in Sagamu. She added that the two-weeks training and empowerment programme was conceived to enhance self-reliance and creating wealth for the people at the grass root expressing their preparedness to implement people oriented programmes and projects to develop the local government. Mrs. Efuwape assured that the second phase of the training and empowerment scheme would come up soon, urging indigenes of Sagamu to pay their taxes regularly in order to support her administration and the State Government in its mission to rebuild the state. Also speaking, the Chairperson, Sagamu Local Government, Mrs. Kemi Johnson noted that the policy goal of the vocational; training was aimed at bringing about the advancement, development and empowerment of women and youths in order to encourage them to be active in their day to day activities. This programme is an upshots of empowerment scheme conceived by the wife of the governor, who continuously challenges all chairperson’s in the twenty local government to prioritize job creation through skill acquisition training as a way of poverty alleviation among our women and the youths” she submitted.
Author: miji
2012 Batch ‘C’ NYSC Corps Members & Skills Acquisition Workshop
Members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) have been urged to think beyond their educational qualifications and acquire technical and vocational skills that would make them self- employed and contribute positively to national development.Mrs. Amosun, said this while flagging off the 2012 Batch ‘C’ Sensitization Workshop on Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development held at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Sagamu on the 16th of November, 2012. Mrs. Amosun stressed the need for every individual to develop their God-given talents for self-actualization and fulfillment, saying that the eras of white collar jobs were gone and it was pertinent for youths to acquire vocational skills in order to be creative and productive in the society. As an advocate of vocation skills acquisition, I believe we can reduce the rate of post-NYSC unemployment in our society and make our young graduates entrepreneurs and employers of labor. Whatever your course of study, a hands-on practical knowledge will be an added advantage for you to excel in your chosen field.” The Wife of the Governor commended the authorities of NYSC for taking up the challenge of exposing the youths to skills training and entrepreneurship as a way of encouraging wealth creation in the state and the country at large, imploring corps members to register and participate in any laudable skills acquisition programmes packaged for them at the orientation camp. In his remarks, the State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Mr. Gbenga Otenuga noted that the goal of the skills acquisition programme was to contribute to the attainment of the Millennium Development Goal (MDGs) – which was aimed at eradicating poverty and hunger and the transformation agenda of the present administration in the State. He added that since the establishment of National Youth Service Corps, the scheme had put in place concrete and practical steps towards building capacity for teeming youths for self-employment rather than seeking the non-existing white collar jobs. Also speaking, the State Coordinator NYSC, Barr. Isioma Anosike said the National Youth Service Corps recently introduced the skills acquisition and entrepreneurship development into the scheme to enable fresh graduates of tertiary institutions acquire skills of their choice with the view to making them self reliant. She appreciated the support of the State Government and the Wife of the Former Governor for uplifting the lives of the less privileged in the society especially through her uplift projects, appealing that a vocational training center should be located in Abeokuta where corps members could train. The Iyalode of Yorubaland, Chief (Mrs.) Alaba Lawson noted that the initiative of the Federal Government to train corps members on vocational skills acquisition was a stepping stone to developing entrepreneurship in the country, advising youths to set goals for themselves and pursue their vision until they achieve their aims in life.
NACCIMA Business Women Group
To further demonstrate her desire to encourage women in business and women empowerment, the Wife of the Former Governor of Ogun State hosted the Nigerian Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) Business Women Group otherwise called NAWORG to a dinner reception in support of the Group’s workshop held at the Valley View Auditorium, Isale-Igbein, Abeokuta on the 17th of October, Speaking at the dinner, which took place at the Banquet Hall of the Government House, Mrs. Amosun expressed her readiness to partner with NAWORG to empower more women and eradicate poverty in our society. “I believe in teaching people how to fish rather than giving them fish over and over again. NAWORG can be described as a bridge builder, which helps us reach many women most especially in our rural areas. Our women deserve special attention and I am ready to partner with NAWORG in order to teach more women how to catch fish so that they can support their homes and children ” she said. In her remarks, NAWORG Chairperson, Iyalode of Yorubaland, Chief (Mrs.) Alaba Lawson thanked the Wife of the Former Governor for her support towards the success of the first NAWORG workshop in Ogun State, adding that this was just the beginning of good things for women in the State.
Support For Autisic
Mrs. Amosun advised parents of children with autism to accept the emotional brunt attached to the disorder and tasked the parents to take proper care of affected children to reduce discrimination, saying autism could affect anyone, irrespective of ethnic, race or social backgrounds. Speaking during the Advocacy Programme for Autism organised by Guaranty Trust Bank held at MUSON Centre, Onikan in Lagos on the 9th of April, 2013, the wife of the former governor explained that the brain disorder usually affects a child’s communication, social interaction and behavior, hence making it difficult for child affected to communicate and relate well with others. She noted that the disorder affects one in every 88 new born and the most obvious signs appear during the first three years of life. She also noted that the disorder is four times common among boys than girls with symptoms ranging from mild learning and social disability to severe impairment. “The ultimate power to live with and overcome autism lies in our willingness to love the child with autism absolutely and unconditionally. However, with unconditional love and understanding we can guide them to intended destination and help them achieve great things,” she said. She commended the efforts of Guaranty Trust Bank’s Autism Orange Ribbon initiatives for the sensitization campaign geared towards creating awareness on autism to enable people know autism is no demon-afflicted disease or witchcraft but a spectrum disorder that causes disability in children, pointing out that government alone could not meet the health need of the people and called on individual and private organisations to join in the crusade. Also speaking at the occasion, Founder, Children Developmental Centre, Dr. Yinka Akindayomi called on government at all levels to include autism in their policies, actions and services in their health care delivery programmes, saying proper assessment of our children would help in dealing with the disorder. She advised the public to accept children with autism as human beings who also deserved a chance to live a meaningful life, adding that solutions to the disorder could only be real when adults with autism were seen as valid citizens, form part of Nigerian workforce and have true community membership.
Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) Health Walk
As part of activities marking the 85th Annual Conference of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), the Wife of the Former Governor of Ogun State, Mrs. Olufunso Amosun on the 13th of November, 2012 joined members of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) for a health walk from Kuto in Abeokuta to sensitize the public on how to use medicine safely. Speaking at the occasion, Mrs. Amosun advised traders at Kuto and Oba Onipede markets in Abeokuta to ensure they buy drugs from certified and approved pharmacies to avoid buying fake/counterfeit and expired drugs that could cause complications or untimely death. Mrs. Amosun noted that a lot of people, most especially women and children had lost their lives using fake or expired medicines, urging that only medical personnel and pharmacists should be consulted for appropriate information on what to use when they want to buy drugs in order to reduce maternal mortality and child morbidity in the country. According to her, “Our health is very important, so let always endeavor to read the leaflet of the medication and check for NAFDAC registration number before using the drugs for precautionary measures.” PSN National President, Pharm. Azubuike Okwor expressed appreciation to the Wife of the Former Governor for associating with the group and pledged their readiness to partner with her to ensure safe use of medicine for enhanced healthy living.
Oral Health & Hygiene
Wife of the Former Governor of Ogun State, Mrs. Olufunso Amosun had advised people to always ensure a good hygienic environment, describing oral heal health as an important part of human general health. Speaking at the Flag-off ceremony of Oral Hygiene Sensitization/Awareness programme in Abeokuta on the 13th of December, 2012, she said most people don’t give much thought to oral health until something goes wrong. According to her, “Oral health is very important, to an individuals general health and overall well-being, good oral health is necessary so we can eat, speak, smile and laugh without pain, difficulty or embarrassment. It is very important to keep our teeth and mouth in healthy conditions for us to feel confident when communicating with others. Our mouth performs quite a number of activities the teeth are responsible for biting and chewing of food, while the tongue is the taste sensor, while the mouth in general is responsible for producing saliva and facilitating the swallowing process. “All these put together make the mouth one of the most useful organs of the body, it can give us a great deal of pleasure or become a source of terrible discomfort for us when we do not take proper care of it. We need to pay attention to our oral health on a daily basis, we should visit the dentist regularly for routine checks and not wait to visit the dentist only when we have toothaches or other oral discomforts” she said. She also advised people to cut down on sugary food, rush the teeth after each meal and eat nutritious food such as fruits and vegetables as much as possible, adding that health is wealth. She later demonstrated to the people how teeth and gums can be cleaned properly and stressed that this needs to be done regularly at least two times a day using a toothbrush and toothpaste that contains fluoride or a chewing stick.
Adopt A School Project
Mrs. Amosun urges corporate organisations and wealthy individuals to support worthy causes by contributing their quotas in the quest to revamp our education sector. She stated this whilst inaugurating the block of four classrooms and three offices renovated by Airtel Nigeria, under its ‘Adopt-a-School’ scheme at St John’s Primary School, Ijebu-Igbo on the 9th of May, 2013.She said the initiative was in line with the policy of the Ogun State government to provide quality education to underprivileged children. “Airtel’s Adopt- a-School programme is in tandem with the policy of the Ogun State government, aimed to provide quality education to underprivileged children. As you know, Ogun State government is committed to creating a conducive learning environment where both privileged and underprivileged children would have access to quality education,” she explained. She counselled the pupils to be serious with their studies as it was the only way they could repay the company’s gesture. “It is not enough for you to dance and say thank you to Airtel. The telecom firm has extended this kind gesture to encourage you to become governors, presidents, doctors, lawyers, accountants etc. tomorrow, and you have to focus on your studies to make it worth their while” she said. The Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Mr. Segun Ogunsanya, said Airtel Nigeria was committed to alleviating poverty and illiteracy from the country through education. “Quality education offers children the best opportunity in life to realize their dreams and become the leaders of tomorrow. A great environment is also critical to the development of a sound mind. It is therefore in recognition of the importance of education and as part of our corporate social responsibility vision that we have committed to the adoption of public primary schools across Nigeria. We are adopting government–owned primary schools located in rural and semi- urban areas and providing them with requisite infrastructure and learning tools including classrooms, textbooks, furniture, school uniforms, school bags and relevant training to improve the teaching skills of our teachers,” he said.
Taking Parents On Security Of Their Children
Mrs. Amosun had also advised parents and guardians to pay more attention to the security of their children and wards. Speaking at the 4th Annual Ogun State Conference of the Counseling Association of Nigeria (CASSON) held at the Ultra Modern Hall of Babcock University High School, Ilisan-Remo on the 25th of April, 2013, the wife of the governor said security has become one major area of concern that we should pay attention to. “We should counsel our children/wards and students for them to be weary of making friends on the internet. They should also be told to be weary of strangers. The recent unpalatable stories in our society have made counseling more relevant today in Nigeria. Professionals as well as parents should be given necessary advice and guidance to address some of these security challenges. The theme of the conference: “Counseling for Security” is very apt,” she said. As a trained counselor and Grand Patron of CASSON Ogun State Chapter, the Wife of the Former Governor described the conference as one unique platform through which ideas can be shared and theories propounded to re position our society. “We need to come up with more strategies through which we can further contribute our quotas to the development of our society. We all have a responsibility to guide our society to the greater heights starting in our various home, through our children and wards” she said.
Redeemer’s Day Celebration
Similarly, the wife of the former governor had urged the students to embrace peace and always aspire to be the best in all their endeavors, imploring them not to focus on the reward of success but to let it serve as a motivational factor that would spur them to attain greater successes in life. She gave the advice at the 14th Redeemer’s Day celebration of The Redeemer’s Secondary School, Redemption Camp along Lagos/Ibadan Expressway, and Ogun State on Friday, 8th March, 2013. Mrs. Amosun seized the occasion to appreciate the organizers of the programme particularly the General Overseer of The Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor E. A. Adeboye and his wife, Pastor (Mrs.) Folu Adeboye for their efforts at ensuring both spiritual and educational growth of our children and also to appreciate them for their unflinching prayers for our dear State and Nigeria at large. “As the future leaders of this nation, you are expected to contribute your quota to its progress and development. Whatever you learn today would go a long way to enrich your lives and everyone around you,” she told the students.
Global Reading Festival
At another occasion on the 24th of November 2012 inAbeokuta, Mrs. Amosun advised students to cultivate reading culture in order to perform excellently in their academic schools in Ogun State during the Global Reading Festival 2012 held at the Valley View Auditorium, Isale-lgbein in Abeokuta, the wife of the governor noted that it was important for students to hold on to the nuggets and principles of the “17 Secrets of High-flying Students” a book written by Mr. Fela Durotoye to improve the standard of education in the country. According to her, “You have the responsibility to yourself to always do the right thing, and when this is done you are working towards peace in the state, the nation and the world at large. ” It will be in your best interest to cultivate the habit of reading to excel in life.”Reading from the book, Mrs. Amosun highlighted the 17 secrets of high-flying students to include laws of decision, foresight, motivation, reward, concentration, sacrifice and the supernatural among others, saying it was only through hard work and determination that one could achieve greatness. A creed of promise was presented to the Wife of the Former Governor as an Ambassador of a generation that is empowered, motivated and spurred to life a life of integrity and honor. Earlier, the Coordinator of the Gemstone Global Reading Festival said the reading festival was aimed at reviving academic excellence in schools and educational institutions, which would in turn build Nigeria into the world’s most desirable nation to live. Mr. Durotoye was represented by Ogun State Director of Gemstone, Pastor Rotimi Bolaji, who said the book would be read simultaneously in 17 cities and 17 countries to encourage students to master the habit of reading in order to improve on their studies and become better students.