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Photos: Over 5,000 youths benefit from APC professionals council empowerment scheme in Oyo
No fewer than 5,000 young Nigerians across the 33 local government areas in Oyo State have benefitted from the empowerment programme initiated by a support group of the All Progressives Congress (APC), -Professionals Council in Oyo State.
The beneficiaries who are mostly women and the youth participated in a four-day empowerment and tuition-free scholarship programme that run from Tuesday 25th October to Friday 28th October 2022 wherein they underwent training in areas such as soap making, fish farming, digital marketing, crop farming, poultry and a host of others viable ventures while those who desire to go to higher institutions were given admission letters to run a tuition-free programme at University or Polytechnic to achieve their academic ambitions.
The initiative which is a brainchild of the professional council a foremost support group of the APC was held in partnership with the Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology, Moor Plantation, Apata, Ibadan.
Speaking at the ceremony, the National Director-General of the Professionals Council, Dr Seyi Bamgbade said the initiative was designed with the cardinal objectives of keying into the federal government plans to move millions of Nigerians out of poverty and raise their standards of living which have continually demonstrated in several ways through various windows such as N-power, trader-moni, farm money and other interventions mapped out by the APC led government for the people.
Dr Bamgbade hinted that this intervention will no doubt reduce the social vices and crimes to the barest minimum if more people are empowered and given access to education through tuition-free scholarships to contribute to the development of the country.
He expressed his appreciation to the management of the Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology for making it possible for the group to achieve its assignment of training and empowering the unemployed Nigerians, especially the youth.
In his remarks, the Oyo State Coordinator of the professional council, Dr Bamidele Gold expressed happiness for the smooth running and hitch-free exercise which he said has impacted the beneficiaries that participated during the training sessions.
Dr Gold thanked the national body of the professional council for the empowerment opportunity it gave to unemployed youth in Oyo State which has allowed the participants to gain new skills and secure admissions to higher institutions of learning.
In their goodwill messages, the APC candidate for Oyo South Senatorial district, Barrister Sarafadeen Abiodun Alli, Candidate for Ido/Ibarapa federal constituency, Engr Remi Oseni, member Federal House of Representatives from Ibadan North constituency, Prince Olaide Akinremi Jagaban who was represented by Hon. Ojo Jimoh, Hon. Kunle Kareem from Akinyele local government and Hon. Mrs Tairat Adeyemi, lauded the initiative of the APC Professionals Council geared towards reducing the number of unemployed youths and eradicating poverty in society.
They urged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the interest-free loan which shall be given to them as a start-up grant for what they have learnt.
The highlight of the ceremony was the presentation of admission letters to all the students that were offered scholarships while certificates of participation were also given to others that took part in the skills acquisition programme.
Some of the beneficiaries of the scholarship award were Jimoh Sodeeq Ayinde, Tajudeen Faidat Agbeke, Aderogba Segun Stephen, Oye Samuel Oluwabunmi and Adetuluse Praise Temilade.
The South West Guild of Online Publishers (SWEGOP) has congratulated Dr. Abisoye Fagade on his recent appointment as the Director General of the Nigerian Institute of Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR).
Fagade, a distinguished professional in marketing communications, is the Chairman of Sodium Group and a philanthropist known for his commitment to community development. Over the years, his expertise and contributions have earned him accolades across various industries, particularly in marketing and communications.
In a congratulatory statement signed by the Guild’s Chairman, Mr. Olayinka Agboola, SWEGOP commended Fagade’s leadership qualities, describing him as a “charismatic and insightful leader” whose appointment heralds a new era for Nigeria’s tourism and hospitality sectors.
“We are confident in your capacity to inspire transformation and growth within the tourism sector,” the statement read.
“Your wealth of experience and dedication to service are assets we believe will bring about meaningful impact.”
SWEGOP also conveyed its best wishes to him offering prayers for divine guidance in his new role.
“We trust that your leadership will pave the way for substantial advancements, enriching both the sector and the nation at large,” the Guild added.
The lawmaker representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency of Oyo State, Engr. Aderemi Oseni, on Thursday, donated the sum of fifty million naira (₦50 million) toward the construction of the proposed Sheikh Agbotomokekere Mosque building project.
Oseni joined other dignitaries, religious leaders, and Muslim clerics to honour the Chief Imam of Ibadanland, Grand Imam of Oyo State, and Grand Patron of the League of Imams and Alfas of Yorubaland, Edo, and Delta States, His Eminence Sheikh AbdulGaniy Abubakre Agbotomokekere, during the annual Maolud Nabiyy celebration at the Ibadan Central Mosque, Oja Oba.
It was during the event that he announced the generous donation.
The Maolud Nabiyy celebration, organised by the Al-Imam Agbotomokekere Islamic Foundation, also featured the unveiling of the proposed mosque project and an award presentation ceremony.
Delivering an insightful lecture at the event, the Chief Imam of Ogbomosoland, Dr. Yunus Tolhat Ayilara, who served as the Guest Lecturer, highlighted the importance of perseverance in the face of challenges.
In a statement issued on Friday by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele, the lawmaker, who also chairs the House Committee on the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), reaffirmed his commitment to supporting initiatives that strengthen the spiritual and social development of his constituency and state.
He commended the Al-Imam Agbotomokekere Islamic Foundation for its dedication to fostering a sense of community through faith, education, and shared values.
According to him, the mosque project symbolises unity and the determination of the people.
Reflecting on the significance of the proposed Agbotomokekere Mosque, the APC chieftain described it as a beacon of unity and religious harmony.
“This mosque project reflects our shared values and our commitment to building a community grounded in faith, love, and unity. I am honoured to contribute to this vision and support the Agbotomokekere Foundation in its efforts to promote peace and spiritual growth,” Oseni stated.
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced a record revenue collection of N5.7 trillion as of November 12, 2024, surpassing its yearly target by 10 percent.
This was disclosed by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, at the ongoing 2024 Comptroller-General of Customs Conference in Abuja.
Themed “Nigeria Customs Service: Engaging Traditional and New Partners with Purpose,” the conference showcased the Customs Service’s progress in modernizing its operations and fostering collaborative partnerships.
“Today, I stand before you to demonstrate how our commitments in 2023 have evolved into tangible achievements,” Adeniyi stated.
He attributed the revenue growth to a series of reforms, including the implementation of a one-stop solution for cargo alerts, a revamped ICT infrastructure, streamlined inspection procedures, and enhanced automation.
Adeniyi explained that these changes reflect the agency’s commitment to elevating operational transparency and efficiency.
“We pledged to re-align our free trade operations, elevate cargo integrity standards, and expand our scanning capacities,” he said.
“Above all, we promised to usher in a new era of customs operations—one built on transparency, efficiency, and genuine collaborations with our partners.”
As of Tuesday, November 12, Adeniyi confirmed that the NCS collected N5.07 trillion, achieving the anticipated 10 percent revenue surplus.
“This performance validates our partnership-driven approach to revenue collection and trade facilitation,” he added.
Adeniyi also highlighted recent strides in trade facilitation, revealing that six companies have been selected to benefit from the Authorised Economic Operators programme, which provides fast-tracked customs clearance and other trade facilitation benefits.
Similarly, the NCS has processed 21 requests under an advance ruling programme, designed to expedite customs decisions on import and export cargoes before they reach Nigerian ports.
The Comptroller-General expressed optimism about the NCS’s potential to drive further economic growth, citing the agency’s commitment to fostering partnerships and advancing innovative practices within the customs sector.
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