The Senator representing the Lagos West Senatorial District, Dr. Idiat Adebule, in conjunction with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) and the National Institute for Freshwater Fisheries Research (NIFFRI), has trained 1,000 youths and women in various vocational skills, including fashion, barbing, confectionery, leatherwork, and hairdressing.

The trained individuals were also provided with startup packs for their respective skills.

During the distribution exercise of the empowerment materials, Dr. Adebule noted that the initiative fulfilled a promise made during her engagement with stakeholders on August 27, 2024. She emphasized her commitment to empowering women and youths, aligning with the Lagos State Government’s initiatives to promote women’s empowerment and entrepreneurship.

Senator Adebule assured constituents in Lagos West that more training and empowerment programs are on the way. “Today’s event is to distribute work tools and equipment as starter packs to these 1,000 participants. These tools and equipment include sewing machines, gas cylinders, burners, cooking wares, hair dryers, leather sewing machines, barbing clippers, and generators,” she stated.

The senator called on everyone to support the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, noting that this empowerment is part of his initiatives. She explained, “The significance of this training and empowerment program is that 1,000 youths and women will transition from the unemployment market to become self-employed, earn a decent living, contribute to the economic development of our country, and also employ other young people.

This is one of the practical means of creating gainful employment for the youth and gradually eradicating poverty, crime, and other social vices in our country, in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.”

Senator Adebule reminded attendees that President Tinubu’s administration is working hard to build a resilient economy that provides better and sustainable opportunities for all Nigerians. “Reforms can be painful and difficult, but with patience, persistence, and hard work, the gains will definitely come in abundance.”

She urged the beneficiaries to recognize the life-changing opportunity provided and to make the most of it. Emphasizing the importance of business ethics, including integrity and delayed gratification, she encouraged them to strive for excellence in their endeavors.

“I urge you to see this gesture as a life-changing opportunity that you must embrace to uplift yourself, your family, and ultimately your communities. There are verified stories of people who started businesses with little or nothing but are now giants in the business world. What defines them is their ability to recognize and seize opportunities like this one we are providing.

“Embrace the ethics of business, including integrity and delayed gratification, and separate business from family and pleasure. This is your opportunity to actualize your dreams; please make the best of it. I urge you to strive for excellence, as that journey starts with you and me,” she advised.

Dr. Adebule praised the training partners and consultants for their dedication to the program.

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The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State, Cornelius Ojelabi, along with members of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), Dr. Abayomi Finnih and Cardinal James Odunmbaku, commended the senator for the initiative and urged beneficiaries to maximize the opportunity and make good use of the equipment provided, warning against selling them, as it would defeat the purpose of the training and empowerment.

One of the beneficiaries, Habeebat Oladipo, expressed gratitude to the senator and promised to use the cooking gas and equipment wisely. Another beneficiary, Israel Adedoyin, praised the initiative and expressed hope for more programs to come.