Kunle Adelabu
-Gesture would go a long way in assisting existing, prospective traineesKunle
The Women of Substance Association, Ikorodu Division, on Monday, April 22, 2024, supported the acquisition of skills in the Division, with the donation of sewing machines to the Etunrenren Vocational Centre, Ikorodu, as part of its set objectives aimed at assisting the development of youths in Ikorodu Division.
The brief handover ceremony, which was attended by the Director, Mass Literacy Agency, Mrs Oluwakemi Kalesanwo, other directors and staff, took place at the center, with some trainees of the centre also in attendance.
Some of the skills available for learning at the centre includes tailoring/fashion designing, catering, IT/phone repair, hair dressing among others.
The President, Women of Substance, Hon. (Chief) Mrs Adebimpe Akinsola, Jpil., who was a former Commissioner for Tourism, Arts & Culture, Lagos State, in her speech at the presentation ceremony, thanked the Director of the Agency who incidentally is also a member of the club, for her relentless efforts in standardizing the centre with necessary facilities, while also stating the objectives of the group.
“I thank Mrs Kemi Kalesanwo, without whom what we are doing today may not come to pass. It was for her efforts, steadfastness and doggedness. We say a very big thank you. Through her, I also greet all the directors and instructors of this school”, she said.
“Women of Substance Association, Ikorodu Division, has been on for long and we thank God that today, we are here and this is the first women association in Ikorodu Division that is duly registered. Our main objectives is to assist the young ones, less privilege, women and the vulnerable in our society, in our own little way that we can support and that is why we are here today”, she said.
While encouraging youths on the need to acquire skills and be entrepreneurs and graduates, she thanked the Lagos State Government for promoting the initiative to engage youths and make them productive.
“It is not only when you attend the formal four walls of classroom that you can make it in life. Some people do not attend school and yet, they are educated, trained and have skills. More so, it is good to be skillful these days. Lots of graduates are still looking for jobs after their graduation, but the wise ones ensure that they acquire skill”, she said.
“What you are doing is very profitable but you have to be patient to learn the skills. There is no social gathering or event without the services of caterer, event planner, fashion designer and hair stylist.
“This is the season for the IT which is the basis for the AI (Artificial Intelligence). This is where the world is going now, As hair dresser, caterer and other skills, you need IT because you have to promote and advertise your products on the social media to get patronage.
“So, what the government, through this agency, is giving to you, you can’t buy it with money. I use this opportunity to thank those that are directing you and training you.
“We also want to use this medium to thank our Governor, Mr Babajide Olusola Sanwo – Olu, through Mrs Kalesanwo, for all his efforts in the areas of education and mass education. The ability to read and write is very important in hospital, business, embassy, and the ability to communicate in simple expression is very good”, she said.
Charging the trainees on the need to be serious with their learning, Hon. Akinsola said:
“For us to thank the Lagos State Government, the Directors and all the teachers here, is for you to excel in whatever that you are doing. You need to be serious with your learning here”, she charged.
Mrs Oluwakemi Kalesanwo, Director, Agency for Mass Literacy, Lagos State, while accepting the donations, thanked the Women of Substance for the gesture, adding that the group is the first to support the centre with equipment.
She said that the group’s gesture would encourage others to come to the aid of the center in term of donation of skill equipment for the practical learning of the trainees.
“I want to thank the Women of Substance for deeming it fit to donate sewing machines to our vocational training centre. Although, we have had individuals donating to the centre, but this is the first association within the Ikorodu Division, to donate equipment to us, and these machines would go a long way in assisting students learning fashion designing and tailoring”, she said.
“It would also help those that are still coming to learn one vocation or the other, because this is not the only thing that they are going to be donating, they are still going to donate more.
“Recall how Women of Substance led the move to renovate the dilapidated structure that eventually turned into the training center when the group took the matter to the Ayangbure, NAOWA, Hon. Babajimi Benson and the then Special Adviser on Education, which led to the renovation of the abandoned structure.
“We still need a lot of things at this centre, but we are not worried because others like the Women of Substance will be coming in to donate equipment that we need. So, I want to appreciate the Women of Substance for what they have done for us”, she added.
Mrs Kalesanwo said that despite challenges facing the centre, staff of the agency have been training and graduating youths that are now entreprenuers who are now employers of labour and contributing to the socio – economic of their families, community and the state.
Speaking on behalf of the entire students at the centre, Mrs Olaogun Mosunmola who said that she has acquired skills in her chosen field within a short period of time, thanked the donating group for the support rendered to the centre.
“We really appreciate you for this presentation. I want to thank the Lord, that I am one of the beneficiaries of this training. I have passion for fashion designing and I was introduced to this centre”, she said.
“When I got here, they were very hospitable, starting from the HoD and instructor. I have no knowledge about tailoring at all when I got here, but within a short period of time, I have learnt a lot. They teach us in simplest ways for us to understand and they are very passionate about what they do.
“At the moment, I can pedal the machine, cut styles and do other things “, she added.
Also in attendance at the event were Comrade Kehinde Okeowo, Vice President, Women of Substance Association and other chieftains like Evangelist Yemisi Ilubanwo, Alhaja Fausat Olanrewaju and Princess Toyin Aroyewun.
