No fewer than 10 people have been empowered by the Bola Oyebade Foundation (BOF).
During the handover of cash to some of the beneficiaries in Ikeja, Lagos, BOF founder Bola Oyebade, said everyone deserved to be empowered to cater for themselves. He said the foundation was giving out N.5million free to those in need.
“By providing avenues through established contacts, government agencies and the organised private sector, the foundation intends to gradually grow a community of self-empowered people,” he added.
He advised youths to go into areas that they have the talents and excel. He warned those complaining that there were no jobs, and that with the right training and finance, they would not only be self-employed, but also be employers and wealth creators.
A guest speaker, Mrs Ayo Salu, who spoke on the theme: ‘Entrepreneurship; Preparing the youth for self-sufficiency’, said entrepreneurship was the way to go and that those with this mindset could generate more income than those with paid jobs.
Mrs. Salu, who represented the Director, Lagos State Agency for Mass Education, Mrs. Oluwakemi Kalesanwo, said the state government has established eight non-formal education vocational centres to boost entrepreneurship.
He urged the youth to avail themselves of the opportunity provided by the government by attending the centres, which are free.
The Managing Director, Sweet Savour Box, Mrs Oluwakemi Abereoje, listed funding, staff attitude to work, lack of training and poor supervision as some of the challenges facing entrepreneurship. Citing her experience, she said: “It is not a rosy journey.”
BOF gave awards to eight individuals for their contributions to the group. They were Dr. Grace Bamigboye, Oluseye Arowolo, Adebose Adelayo, Oladipupo Kayode, Oluwakemi Abereoje and Ademola Olutusin.
Dr. Bamigboye thanked the foundation for the gesture, noting that the organisation “is doing a great job”.