Yomi
…Empowers youths and farmers with agricultural, chemical and catering tools
As part of efforts to round off its 2026 training and empowerment programme for youths, farmers and small-scale business owners, the Office of Rural Development in the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development, through the Centre for Rural Development (CERUD), has concluded a series of capacity-building programmes across the five divisions of Lagos State.
The programme was designed to improve the economic capacity of residents in rural communities and empower them with relevant skills and tools for sustainable livelihoods.
Speaking at the final edition of the training and empowerment programme held at the Ikorodu West Local Council Development Area Secretariat on Thursday, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Rural Development, Dr Nurudeen Yekinni Agbaje, reiterated that the initiative was one of the numerous programmes of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu aimed at alleviating poverty and economically empowering residents to contribute meaningfully to the development of the State.
According to him, the initiative aligns with the Governor’s vision of making Lagos State a 21st Century Economy under the T.H.E.M.E.S. Plus Agenda.
Dr Agbaje disclosed that the training programme had covered the five divisions of the State, with participants receiving training in fish farming, bread and pastries production, honey harvesting, as well as the production of household consumables using chemicals.
He added that over 500 direct and indirect beneficiaries had been equipped with relevant skills and empowerment tools to promote self-reliance and sustainable economic growth.
The Special Adviser urged the participants to take full advantage of the opportunity provided by the State Government by putting the knowledge acquired and the empowerment tools received to productive and commercial use.
Similarly, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development, Mrs Kikelomo Bolarinwa, in her special remarks, thanked Governor Sanwo-Olu for his continued commitment to the empowerment of youths and rural dwellers across the State.
She noted that the positive impact of the Governor’s empowerment initiatives had been felt across the five divisions of Lagos State.
Bolarinwa also urged the participants to pay keen attention to the training and maximise the opportunities provided to place themselves on the path to financial independence.
In his remarks, the Chairman of Ikorodu West Local Council Development Area, Hon. Sulaimon Kazeem Olarewaju, commended Governor Sanwo-Olu for his sustained efforts at economically empowering rural dwellers and reducing rural-urban migration. He noted that the initiative had contributed to improving economic activities within rural communities, as many beneficiaries had leveraged similar opportunities to establish sustainable means of livelihood and contribute to the economic development of their communities.
Earlier, in his welcome address, the Director and Chief Executive Officer of CERUD, Mr Musibau Balogun, thanked Governor Sanwo-Olu for his commitment to empowering residents across the State.
He appealed to the participants to justify the Governor’s investment in them by putting the knowledge, skills and empowerment tools acquired during the programme to effective use.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mrs Ajibola-Ogunde Anuoluwapo thanked the Lagos State Government for providing a platform through which participants were equipped with relevant skills and tools to improve their livelihoods and attain economic self-reliance.
