Selected 40 women from the 16 local government areas of Kwara state have been trained and presented with work tools at the end of their training in jewellery making and designs.

Speaking during graduation, presentation of competency certificate and work tools to the beneficiaries in Ilorin on Wednesday, wife of the Kwara state governor, Ambassador Dr Olufolake Abdulrazaq, said that beneficiaries of the skills acquisition and empowerment programme, sponsored by her office and her pet project, the Ajike People Support Centre, have been set on path of self-reliance and financial independence.

The wife of the governor, who said that one of the major challenges confronting Nigeria youths and women is joblessness, added that the group constitute greater fraction of Nigeria's economically active population.

“Available statistics reveals that Nigeria has a youth population of over 80 million representing over 60 per cent of the total population of the country”, she said adding that new ways must be evolved to ensure that people are productively engaged, especially women and youth.

“You will agree with me, however, that skills acquisition is a veritable tool for eradicating extreme poverty and hunger

“It should also be noted that skills acquisition is a strong vehicle for promoting economic empowerment and eradicating poverty anong women and youth which is key to attaining the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 1 (SDG 1).

The wife of the governor recalled that over 6,000 women and youth had so far been trained through her initiative, adding that empowerment tools ranging from sewing machines, hairdryers, make up and makeover kits, grinding machines and modern baking utensils were presented to over 4,000 beneficiaries.

“As you may well be aware, similar training have been conducted in tailoring, baking and confectioneries and farming and agripreneur before now. All these initiatives are to ensure that energies that would have been used to generate revenues and improve the economy are well harnessed”.

Earlier, executive director, Ajike People Support Centre, Alhaji Ganiyu Opeloyeru, said that the scheme would look into the possibility of availing the beneficiaries opportunity of regular financial literacy seminars to further enhance their mastery of business and financial management techniques.

He said the programme would be achieved through collaboration with relevant stakeholders.