By Arafat Anifowoshe
The Chairman of Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government, Prince Usman Akanbi Hamzat, has presented start-up kits to 100 beneficiaries of the Hairdressing Entrepreneurship Training.
The presentation was done during the graduation at the Local Government multipurpose hall.
The training, which lasted for four weeks, was a partnership between Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government and GIZ.Nigerian-German Centre.
Each of the 100 participants was presented with complete sets of hair drier, hair straightener, hair blower, wig mannequin, and certificate of attendance.
Prince Hamzat said the initiative was part of programmes held to empower residents.
“We want to reduce poverty and unemployment in our council. More of such initiatives would be implemented to make our people self-sustained,” he said.
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Prince Hamzat, who was represented by the Secretary to the Local Government, Kolawole Fasusi, reiterated the commitment of his administration to keep empowering every segment of the council until unemployment and poverty were reduced to the barest minimum.
Prince Hamzat congratulated the beneficiaries and enjoined them to take the opportunity presented to them as a gateway out of poverty.
GIZ’s Senior Advisor and representative, Mr. Ayomikun Olugbode, praised the Chairman for his passion for the empowerment of the residents, recalling previous partnerships between his organization and the Local Government.
Olugbode described the graduands as “wonderful students,” saying he had no doubts they were going to excel in the marketplace.
He said plans were underway to support the beneficiaries with the registration of their businesses.
The beneficiaries, all spotted in blue polo shirts, turned the event into a carnival of sorts, dancing and singing as they received their certificates and business kits.
They thanked Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government and the partners, GIZ, for training and the start-up kits which they said had set them up for success in their chosen career.
The graduands exhibited some of their projects.