………Vows to sustain efforts to combat unemployment
The President of the 8th Senate in the National Assembly, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki, at the weekend empowered some students of the University of Ilorin, to ensure they start up as self employed.
The empowerment programme under the auspices of Abubakar Bukola Saraki Foundation (ABS Foundation), and in partnership with the University Student Union Government held at the school auditorium.
Dr Saraki said the empowerment is in continuation of a Vocational Training Scheme he created when he was Governor of Kwara State 12 years ago, to ensure that young Kwarans receive sound training in skilled crafts.
According to a statement by the Press Officer on Local Matters, Abdulganiyu Abdulqadir, the scheme provides the undergraduates at UNILORIN who had completed a Skills Acquisitions Training with necessary tools required to begin lives as entrepreneurs.
The items according to the statement, include laptop computers, sewing machines, filing machines, make-up kits, digital cameras, hair dryer and oven among others.
The former Governor of Kwara State, who joined the event virtually, said the empowerment will go a long way to guarantee a source of livelihood for the beneficiaries and their dependants “because there are simply not enough jobs for the number of young Nigerians in the labour market.”
Dr Saraki expressed pleasure to once again partner with the Student Union of the University of Ilorin, through his Foundation, #ABSFoundation.
He also commended the Student Union for its continued commitment towards ensuring that students receive hands-on skills in the areas of fashion design, ICT, commercial baking, amongst others alongside their regular coursework.
The Senate President at the 8th National Assembly wished the beneficiaries the best as they start their new businesses, while urging them to take full advantage of the opportunity to ensure the long-term sustainability of the programmes.
In his remark, the University Vice Chancellor; Prof. Sulyman Abdulkareem Age, represented by the Dean Students Affairs; Dr Akanmu Alex, expressed appreciation to the ABS Foundation for the gesture and appealed to other privileged individuals to emulate Dr Saraki towards addressing the high unemployment rate in the country.
The University SUG President, Waliyu Opeyemi Omoluabi, and his Vice, Hanifa Motunrayo also showered encomium on Dr Saraki for fulfilling his promise to the union and the University students.
Beneficiaries in their separate remarks expressed gratitude to ABS Foundation and pledged to make judicious use of the items.
