*Olubadan, Alli, Akintunde others hail scheme as game changer
By Adeyinka Adeniran
As part of its strategic mandate to bridge Nigeria’s skills gap and lift millions out of socio-economic hardship, the Federal Government has concluded a 10-day intensive National Poverty Reduction with Growth Strategy (NPRGS) training and empowerment scheme in Oyo State, equipping 700 youths with practical vocational capabilities, digital devices, and business starter kits.
The graduation ceremony, held on Friday, at the Kensington Adebutu Hall, University of Ibadan, marked the culmination of the exercise which commenced on September 28.
Managed by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Technical, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Education (OSSAP-TVEE), the initiative forms a key component of President Bola Tinubu’s vision to move five million Nigerians out of poverty over the next four years.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on TVEE, Dr. Abiola Arogundade, emphasized the Federal Government’s resolve to replace handouts with sustainable capacity building and economic self-reliance.
Dr. Arogundade said “What we want to do, and what the President wants to do, is to move as many people out of poverty as possible.
“Mr. President believes that our young people do not simply need assistance. They need opportunity. They need skills. They need the tools to compete and build sustainable livelihoods. And that is what today represents.”
Detailing the intervention, Dr. Arogundade disclosed that 30 participants received specialized instruction in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Graphics Design, 85 in Makeup Artistry, and 85 in Fashion Design, alongside 500 participants provided with digital devices to facilitate their entry into the expanding digital economy.
Beneficiaries were presented with practical enterprise tools, including laptops, makeup sets, sewing machines, and digital tablets.
Urging the cohort to act as economic catalysts in their communities, she added: “What you receive today is not the destination. It is the beginning. Take the skills you have learnt. Take the tools you have received, and build something with them. Don’t use it as a one-man solution or one-man empowerment. There’s a multiplier effect. Train your neighbours, train your community people, and also continue to impact and learn more.”
Prior to the ceremony, Dr. Arogundade led a delegation on a courtesy visit to the palace of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja.
Receiving the presidential envoy, the monarch commended the Federal Government’s grassroots focus, describing the NPRGS scheme as a transformative move against youth unemployment.
Oba Ladoja said, “It’s a very good initiative, and we are very proud of Arogundade. I would also like to encourage many people in her position to emulate her, because this will go a long way in empowering people and reducing poverty in our society.”
In a brief remark, the APC governorship candidate, Senator Alli commended the Federal Government for the initiative to combat poverty and unemployment in the country.
Particularly, he lauded Dr Arogundade for showing leadership and commitment to ensuring that the beneficiaries are not only impacted but also enabled to earn decent living while also contributing to the economic growth of the state.
He promised to template the effort if he become the next governor of the state by giving priority attention to skill acquisition, empowerment and vocational training.
Also speaking, the Senator representing Oyo Central, Yunus Akintunde commended the initiative saying, skill acquisition and empowerment has proved to be the key to winning the war against poverty amd employment.
Resource persons at the 10-day workshop highlighted the relevance of the curriculum to modern labor market demands.
Keynote speaker and Principal Consultant, Mrs. Oluronke Shonubi, noted that exposing Nigerian youths to artificial intelligence aligns the country with global economic shifts seen in developed nations.
“Countries such as the United States and China are investing heavily in AI across sectors including manufacturing, agriculture, and the automobile industry,” Shonubi stated, praising the government for upskilling youths in ethical AI use to expand their career and entrepreneurial prospects.
Similarly, vocational instructor, Rukayat Muhammad, who led the makeup artistry track, stressed the commercial viability of the skills taught.
“Makeup artistry remains a marketable vocation, and beneficiaries can build successful businesses if they develop their skills and effectively market themselves,” she noted, advising participants to view the enterprise tools as investments in their personal and financial independence.
Beneficiaries expressed optimism about the long-term impact of the exercise. Olaleye Idowu, a 400-level International Relations student at the Federal University Oye-Ekiti who completed the AI and graphics track, commended the Federal Government for addressing the youth skills gap.
“The training introduced us to the fundamentals of AI, its applications, and its potential to make work more efficient,” Idowu said. “In five years, I expect to become a professional AI prompt engineer, and I pledge to train and employ others as I develop my career.”
Other key stakeholders and leaders of the APC in attendance at the event include: APC deputy governorship candidate, Michael Adedeji; Senator representing Oyo Central, Sen. Yunus Akintunde; Oyo State APC Women Leader and Tinubu Torch Bearers coordinator, Dr. Adekemi Felicia Opatunde; and Ibadan Southwest Federal Constituency coordinator, Hon. Folake Olunloyo-Oshinowo.
Following its initial pilot phase in Abuja and the successful completion of the Oyo State exercise, the OSSAP-TVEE announced that the nationwide NPRGS rollout will proceed across other geopolitical zones, targeting 1,200 participants per phase with tailored, region-specific vocational instruction.
