In continuation with its cardinal objective of empowering the less privileged individuals in the society, the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association(DEPOWA) has trained another batch of 210 widows, women and youths onvarious vocational skills in Ibadan, the Oyo state Capital.
Tagged ‘‘Empowered for Life,” the 2-week intensive training held from 15 – 30 November 2018, with 30 participants for each of the vocational skills. These are beads stringing, bag making, barbing, tie and dye, cosmetic productions, make-up and gele tying as well as how to operate grinding machine which are all initiatives of the current DEPOWA leadership.
Speaking at the closing/graduation ceremony which took place at the Letmouck Army Cantonment, Mokola, Ibadan, the Special Guest of Honour, and wife of the Executive Governor of Oyo state, Mrs Florence Ajimobi said the structured programmes put in place by DEPOWA has indeed metamorphosed to the successful empowerment of less privileged Nigerians most of who are residing within the nooks and crannies of Ibadan.
Represented by the wife of the Secretary to the Oyo State Government, Mrs Omotunde Olowokere, the First lady of Oyo state lauded the efforts of DEPOWA for curbing the rate of unemployment in the country which Oyo state was the latest beneficiary of its empowerment programme.
Mrs Ajimobi congratulated the graduands for the needed endurance, commitment and determination that led to the completion of the training while urging them to use the skills acquired for the benefits of their families, Oyo state and the country at large. She told the graduands to continue in their quest for knowledge which she saidwas mandatory in all facet of human life.
She described the DEPOWA’s gesture as community service which she solicited the support of corporate entities, Non Governmental Organisations and philanthropists for DEPOWA to enable the Association continue with it’s works.
Speaking also, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Gabriel Abayomi Olonisakin commended the DEPOWA and its leadership for its contributions to national development through the empowermentof women and youths within and outside the barracks communities to become self dependent as well as employers of labour.
Represented by the Commandant, Armed Forces Resettlement Centre, Lagos, Air Vice Marshal Abubakar Liman, the CDS used the opportunity to thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for what he described as continuous support to the Armed Forces of Nigeria, in the provision of military platforms and equipment. This, he noted has boost military training and operations.
In her welcome address the DEPOWA President, Mrs Omobolanle Olonisakin explained that the training was initially designed for 200 trainees were later increased to 210to accommodate more participants. She also said that the graduands who have been empowered for life were among the jobless youths and women without handiworks to support their families. “The empowerment is geared towards reducing the number of unemployed Nigerians with special attention on youths, women, widows of our fallen heroes in our military barracks as well as widows in our environment.” said Mrs Olonisakin.
The DEPOWA President urged the graduands to optimally maximize the skills acquired and the starter packs provided by DEPOWA to improve their standard of living to the benefits of their families. She explained further that a follow-up evaluation exercise will be conducted by DEPOWA on the beneficiaries to assess their business performance.
Mrs Olonisakin thanked the CDS, Service Chiefs, Commandants and Commanders of Tri-Service Military Institutions and others for supporting the noble objective of DEPOWA.
Highlight of the event asides exhibition of products made included: presentation prizes to participants that distinguished themselves during the training. Certificates and starter packs were also given to the graduands.
