The Commissioner in the ministry, Mrs Funmilayo Efuwape, who made the disclosure at the graduation programme for the 2021/2022 trainees in Abeokuta, said that the initiative of the government was to reduce unemployment in the state.

According to her, the beneficiaries are trained in various empowerment skills, micro credit schemes and other vocational skills.

“Vocational skill acquisition programmes such as hairdressing, fashion designing, catering, makeup, and headgear tying, among others have been identified as ways of creating employment.

“It is not gain saying that people who have gone through this training are successful individuals in the society,” she said.

Efuwape, represented by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mrs Melutia Ogunremi, said that the ministry’s empowerment programmes were aimed at improving the beneficiaries’ living standard.

The commissioner added that the training would make the trainees self-dependent as well as enhance their socioeconomic status.

She advised the beneficiaries to ensure that the acquired knowledge was put to good use, so as to contribute to the state’s economic growth and development.

In her welcome address, the Director, Women Empowerment Services, Mrs Wonuola Kassim, congratulated the beneficiaries on the successful completion of their training.

Kassim enjoined them to be dedicated to their work, and ultilise the opportunity given to them to pursue their dreams and become self-dependent.

Two of the beneficiaries, Mrs Janet Adeniyi and Miss Fawasi Olusesi, who were trained in makeup artistry, headgear tying and fashion designing, thanked the state government for giving them the opportunities.