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Ondo
MONDAY AUGUST 22, 2011
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Lagos
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Ogun to create jobs through agric
T
•Amosun
HE government of Ogun State has reiterated its resolve to use agriculture as a veritable vehicle to revolutionise the economy of the state and create jobs for the people. This is apart from the ongoing recruitment exercise geared towards giving jobs to 10,000 indigenes of the state. Governor Ibikunle Amosun aims to achieve this within his first 100 days in office as promised during the electioneering campaign. The governor stated this in his office in Abeokuta while receiving the Managing Director of the Bank of Industry (BoI), Ms Evelyn Oputu, the bank’s management team and some investors. He said the state is ready to go back to the basics in order to push it
By Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta
forward. His words: “Before the advent of oil, Nigeria’s economy was vibrant and strong; remember those groundnut pyramids, palm oil, rubber, cotton and cocoa revolution. Our founding fathers did a lot with agriculture and commerce. “For us in Ogun State, we are going to the basics. We are gifted in the state and we should be able to take advantage of our abundant resources in Ogun State. We know the importance of commerce and we are prepared to industrialise our state using agriculture.” Amosun explained that his administration will fully take advantage of the proximity of the state to Lagos,
adding that the favourable encvironment and political support needed by genuine investors will be provided. Oputu stated that the intending investors were in the state to tap into its economic potentials and add value to agriculture. She said that the present administration led by Senator Amosun has demonstrated its desire to rebuild and reposition the state. “Our emphasis is always on the small- and medium-scale industries with a focus to create wealth among the people and make meaningful impact towards the development of our society. We are in Ogun State because there is land mass waiting to be tapped into,” she said.
O
NE of its trainees is now a millionaire, with about 200 people working for him. Another, a woman who specialised in local fabrics, has taught 100 others the trade. Yet another who is a sculptor has, this year alone, groomed two girls and a boy in the business. The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) in Ondo State has thinned down the population of the unemployed in the state and helped to empower many who were once dependent on others. The state directorate’s poverty eradication efforts have started yielding fruits as beneficiaries are becoming employers of labour, said Mr Olaitan Olayinka, its coordinator. He showcased the activities of the NDE in the state capital, Akure. He said a N6 million garri-processing factory is nearing completion at Ikaram Akoko in Ondo North Senatorial District. He added that similar factories will also be located in the central and southern parts of the state. The NDE, he said, is encouraging people to embrace large-scale garri production to boost food supply in the state. At Ikare Akoko, Alleluyah Jesu Seun Furniture Centre, the NDE coordinator also showcased several projects executed by trainees of the directorate. Journalists, who travelled with Olayinka, visited the Agriculture Training Farm at Mariwo and Igbelowowa Farm Settlement in Ilara Mokin, Ifedore Local Government Council of the state. While the Mariwo farm which covers three hectares of land is the initiative of the NDE, Igbelowowa was started by Mr Fajemilehin, one of the beneficiaries of the micro-credit finance programme of the directorate. Fajemilehin started in 1989 with the sum of N80, 000. Also, Queensely Palace of Fashion in the Leo area of Akure, one of the beneficiaries of loan facility of NDE in 2004, has trained over 50 youths in fashion designing and wedding gown making. The proprietress of Glory Fashion Centre, Madam Dolapo Oni said the centre which took off in 2007 with the assistance of NDE, has trained over 20 youths. At Isinkan, Akure was Mr Sola of Man Bake Foods, one of the first set of
•Mr Olayinka and local fabric makers in Akure
Women, youths savour new jobs Ondo NDE trainee becomes millionaire From Damisi Ojo, Akure
beneficiaries of NDE who could boast of baking over 12 assorted breads through the assistance of N50, 000 loan he received in 1989 The Women Empowerment Branch (WEB) which specialises in local fabrics Adire and Kampala making, has trained
over 100 women under the supervision of Olori Bolanle Farotade in the Oba Adesida Road, Akure. The Special Public Works Department (SPWD) of the NDE also presented Mr Adeloye Johnson who specialises in sculpture and ceramics. This year, he has trained two girls and a boy in the trade. Eni Olorunda, a 1988/89 welding trainee
under the Skill Acquisition Programme (SAP), who has been operating a steel construction firm, is now a young billionaire with over 200 workers. Other areas visited by the journalists included, BB Generator workshop at Onyarugbulem Market, Akure where Mr Babalola Adesola was busy supervising his trainees.