Ayede Poly Director, YEDIS advocate rural entrepreneurship, enterprise for SMEs
PanNigerianNews
4 min read
A seasoned Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) Consultant and Director of Centre for Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (CASES) at Federal Polytechnic Ayede, located in Oyo State, Prince Oluwaseun Owojori, has advised governments at all levels to focus more on rural entrepreneurship and enterprise development for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).
Prince Owojori stated this recently at a one-day entrepreneurship and capacity-building workshop titled “Enhancing Entrepreneurial Skills of Young Artisans in Aagba” organised by a non-governmental organisation, Youths Enterprise Development and Innovation Society (YEDIS), in conjunction with Elites Club of Aagba (ECA) in Osun State, Nigeria.
YEDIS and ECA empowered vibrant technically and vocationally skillful artisans with human capacity development intellectual resources and an amount valued at over N2.1 million.
The objective of the workshop was to impart knowledge and skills, advance the businesses, get decent jobs, and achieve economic and personal developments for the participants in their areas of specialisations.
Speaking at the event, Prince Owojori harped on the attendant blessings of government’s investment in entrepreneurship and enterprise development as one of the solutions to the country’s economic challenges.
He explained that investing more in the area would help government in curbing unemployment, assisting in job creation and making the beneficiaries employers of labour.
While admonishing the participants, Prince Owojori expressed that no artisan is under obligation by law to compulsorily join any association.
He, nonetheless, reiterated that there are eminent benefits in joining artisans’ associations like barbers, seamsters and tailors.
He encouraged the association to leave up to expectation by taking the welfare and economic development of their members as priority.
He maintained that this would go a long way to fostering unity and harmony among them.
He advised the participants to seek expertise repeatedly, give assurance to their clients and customers, sustain trust with their clients and customers, acquire and exhibit Knowledge and authority of their skills, take testimonials from their clients and customers, and accord their clients and customers with good approach and respect all the time.
The workshop focused on national and global networking links, fundamentals of marketing for SMEs, product branding, digital technology applications for SMEs, exploration of local resources, exceptional leadership skills, team work and building, and business proposal writing.
Speaking at the workshop’s closing ceremony, YEDIS’ Executive Director, Chief Rafiu Olaore, said, “Participants were 76 young women and girls and 52 men in these areas of specialisations: plumbing, electrical installation and repairs, computer and phone repair, bricklaying, plumbing, tiling, plaster of paris (POP) work, welding and fabrication, merchandising, shoemaking/leather works, painting, photography, farming and agric-businesses, hairstyling and fashion designing.
“It is becoming a household fact that YEDIS has contributed to youths’ gainful employment, primarily young women and girls as well as community development.
“Since the launch of YEDIS in February 2020, the need to invest in agriculture by supporting young farmers for food security, zero hunger and reduction of poverty in the country has been the her priority.”
Mr Olaore explained that collaboration between Community leaders, government, and civil society organizations would be needed to achieve the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Agenda of 2030.
He, therefore, revealed that the YEDIS team and three volunteers facilitated the event involving intensive training through interactive presentation, participants’ teamwork, business plan development, introduction to Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital skills, effect of climate change on business, venture funding and sources, and other innovative lectures for inclusive and community economic development.
The YEDIS boss appreciated all the donors, including Mr Patrick (YEDIS Regional Coordinator in Europe) for donating N75,000 towards logistics, the YEDIS vibrant team for their selfless services, insightful presentation and proper coordination of the activities.
He specifically mentioned Mr Ranti Ogunrinade, Mr Ola Timothy, Mrs Kemi Oyeniyi, Mrs Grace Alaje, Mr Oluwaseun Owojori, Mrs Dorcas Olaniyan, Miss Rafiat Olaore, Miss Waliyat Oyerinde, Mr Waheed Adeoye, Mr Abass Opeyemi, Mrs Mary Adebayo and other stakeholders for their valuable time, energy and knowledge contributed towards the success of the event.
He also appreciated YEDIS Corporate Partner, Afro Pride Art Collection, located at Station Road, Osogbo for donating 130 Packs of YALE Bread valued at N390,000 ($278), each containing ten pieces that was distributed among all the participants as gifts.
He lauded the Aagba community for printing the 250 application forms, provided the venue, chairs, tables, and lunch, printed 150 certificates of attendance, organized media coverages, and donated N750,000
Dignitaries at the workshop included Osun State Government officials like Hon. Rasheed Aderibigbe, (Commissioner for Home Affairs); Hon. Bayo Ogungbangbe (Commissioner for Cooperatives and Empowerment) and Chief Host, Hon. Soji Ajeigbe (Commissioner for Government Affairs and Protocol).
Others were His Royal Majesty, Oba Rufus Olayinka Ogunwole Kuujosin 1, the Alaagba of AagbaAagba as the Royal Father of the Day; Chief Obafemi Okediya, President of the Elites Club of Aagba, and his club members among other eminent personalities.
