The Executive Chairman of Ikorodu Local Governmentz Hon. Wasiu Adeshina has urged 30 Graduates of the Council’s 6-Month Vocational Training in Fashion Designing to position themselves for a share of the multi-billion dollar global fashion market.
‘Today stands as a testament to your dedication, perseverance, and unwavering commitment to personal growth and professional development. You have not merely acquired the art and craft of fashion designing; you have embraced a skill that holds the potential to unlock a future of economic empowerment, innovation, and enterprise. Fashion, as we know, is not merely an expression of style; it is a multi-billion naira global industry, and today, you proudly join its dynamic ranks’.
Adeshina gave the charge in his address during the graduation of 30 successful participants ot the training at Ikorodu Local Government Secretariat on Wednesday.
Giving a background into the training, Adeshina said, ‘This laudable initiative, which commenced in August 2024, was conceived with a clear and deliberate objective: to equip our people, particularly the youth and women, with practical, income-generating skills that would enhance their self-reliance, reduce unemployment, and nurture a thriving culture of entrepreneurship within our community. Out of the 100 individuals who enrolled for this transformative programme, 30 resilient and determined participants are graduating today, having successfully completed the intensive six-month training’.
Speaking further, he stated that, ‘This empowerment programme is but one of our numerous interventions aimed at human capital development in Ikorodu. We remain steadfast in our belief that the best way to serve the people is by investing in their potential. By providing access to initiatives such as this, we are not merely giving our people fish; we are teaching them how to fish, and indeed, empowering them to weave their own nets and cast them into wider oceans of opportunity’.
‘In furtherance of our administration’s commitment to ensuring that the skills you have acquired are put to immediate productive use, I am pleased to announce that each of you will be receiving a brand-new sewing machine as a start-up pack. In total, 30 sewing machines have been procured and will be distributed today to all graduands. This strategic intervention is to enable you to commence your entrepreneurial journey without delay, providing you with the necessary tool to transform your knowledge into tangible economic value. We firmly believe that empowerment must go beyond training; it must also provide the means to translate skills into sustainable livelihoods’, he added.
Adeshina further explained that, each of the 30 graduands represented a seed of transformation, a beacon of hope for themselves, their families, and the broader Ikorodu community.
He therefore urged them to go forth and be job creators rather than job seekers.
‘Use your newfound skills to uplift others, create opportunities, and shine as worthy ambassadors of this noble programme’, he counseled.
He equally used the opportunity to pledge his government’s unwavering pursuit of people-centric projects, announcing other upcoming lined u even more empowerment programmes in diverse fields such as catering, ICT, hairdressing, and other vocational areas.
He reiterated that the commitment of his administration was to continually create platforms that will enable our people to thrive, innovate, and compete favourably in today’s dynamic and highly competitive economy.
He also expressed profound appreciation to the facilitators and trainers who have diligently invested their time, expertise, and patience in grooming these graduands, while acknowledging their invaluable contributions to building a skilled, confident, and self-sufficient generation.
Concluding, he stressed that, empowerment is not a privilege,it is a right. It is our collective responsibility, as a responsive and people-oriented government, to ensure that every willing hand is given the opportunity to become productive and fulfilled.
Earlier, the Chairperson of Ikorodu Local Government and wife of the Executive Chairman, Mrs Bolanle Adeshina
described the Empowerment Programme as an initiative that signifies not just a policy direction, but a life-changing movement within Ikorodu Local Government.
In her words, ‘What we are witnessing today is a step ahead of the ordinary, a bold and visionary approach to community development. This is not just another routine fashion training. No, this is a strategic investment in human capital with the aim of building a globally competitive generation,right here at the grassroots’.
‘We draw inspiration from the technological strides of countries like China and India, whose global relevance was shaped by deliberate investments in skills and innovation. Nigeria must rise to this same calling,and I am proud to say that the Ikorodu Local Government is already answering that call. By equipping our people with technical know-how, entrepreneurial skills, and modern tools, we are preparing them not just for survival,but for significance’, she added.
She equally extended warm congratulations to the graduands for their hard work, consistency, and determination.
‘The future you desire is within reach. Use what you’ve learned wisely; be the spark that ignites hope across our communities’.
A major highpoint of the event was the presentation of brand new sewing machines as start-up packs to each of the 30 graduates to assist them launch out their businesses.
Similarly, Adeshina also seized the opportunity of the event to present a Computer set and Deep freezers to tow APC members for their loyalty to the ruling party.
