By Steve Oni, Ilorin
The Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union (IEDPU), has, under its entrepreneurial programme, graduated a total of 236 youths.
The IEDPU in collaboration with Kwara state Polytechnic, Ilorin organised the three months intensive skills acquisition courses for the beneficiaries in order to reduce the problem of unemployment in Ilorin Emirate.
The beneficiaries were trained in information communication technology, poultry, hairdressing, barbing, tie/dye and catering, among others.
Certificates of proficiency in the above listed skills were presented to the beneficiaries at a brief ceremony in Ilorin, Kwara state capital on Wednesday.
Speaking at the event, the President of IEDPU, Alhaji AbdulHamid Adi said the entrepreneurial scheme was a milestone achievement, adding that the Union conceived the idea late last year when it discovered that the much sought after white collar jobs were becoming elusive.
He said: “The major purpose of the scheme was to reduce the problem of unemployment and its attendant social vices among the youths of Ilorin Emirate.”
Adi, who said the union spent over N5 million on the programme, expressed the preparedness of the union to help the beneficiaries obtain loan from banks to enable them start their own businesses and become employers of labour.
He thanked the management of Kwara Polytechnic, Ilorin, the National Directorate of Employment and Pharmacist Yakub Layi Gobir
for their support, adding that the training programme would be a continuous exercise.
In his remarks, the Rector of Kwara state Polytechnic, Ilorin, Alh Mas’ud Elelu said the three months programme was intensive, covering theory and practical aspects.
Represented by the Deputy Rector, Academics, Engr Yekeen Oyebode, the Rector urged the beneficiaries to put into practice the skills imparted on them by establishing their own businesses.
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