OCEELD, DGIF Train Entrepreneurs on Modern Business Skills, Empower SMEs in Ibolo Land

N3 million distributed to selected participants

– Kwara Govt Urges Participants to reflect training in their businesses, reiterates commitment to enterprise development

About forty selected small and medium-sized business owners in Ibolo Land, Kwara State, received modern business management training at a 2-day Entrepreneurship Training and Empowerment programme organized by the Obelawo Centre for Education, Entrepreneurship, and Leadership Development (OCEELD) in partnership with the Development Governance International Foundation (DGIF), Abuja.
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Twelve of the participants were also empowered with cash awards of N250,000 each to support their businesses. Speaking at the event, held at Obelawo Multipurpose Events Hall, Ijagbo, the Honourable Commissioner for Business Innovation and Technology, Kwara State, Hon. Damilola Yusuf Adelodun stated that the commitment of OCEELD to empowering grassroots entrepreneurs and small-scale businesses aligns “perfectly with the vision of Kwara State Government to promote inclusive and sustainable economic development across all strata of society”

The commissioner, whose address was delivered by Mr Kola Olumoh of the ministry, stated also that the training programme, which focuses on business owners in Oyun and Offa Local Government Areas, “is not only strategic but also timely. It reflects a deliberate effort to strengthen local economies, enhance community resilience, and promote self-reliance through entrepreneurship.

According to the Commissioner, the Kwara State Government, under the leadership of Governor Abdul Rahman AbdulRazaq, is prioritizing enterprise development, job creation, and innovation.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Executive Director of OCEELD, who is also the Chairman of the National Cancer Fund, Dr. Gafar Alawode, disclosed that the objective of the programme is to acquaint selected entrepreneurs with modern knowledge and skills of business management, access to finance, marketing approach, business risk management, and others. He disclosed that the programme is also geared up towards forging strategic partnerships between academic institutions and communities through capacity building and research focused on community development.

“The management and the board of OCEELD have identified some well-meaning individuals who have agreed to support some of the participants to expand their business with limited resources. While the OCEELD goal is to provide financial support to all participants, the paucity of resources means the support will be provided in phases, and the support will be extended to others as we are able to mobilize more resources”.

Dr. Alawode disclosed that OCEELD is established to honour the memory and lifetime values of Late Alhaji Salawu Giwa Alawode Obelawo, a community leader, dynamic entrepreneur, and a strong promoter of education. He said, in line with his vision, some programmes have been sponsored in the past, including the commemoration of World Poverty Eradication Day in 2019, support to the Ibolo Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ICCIMA) to host an entrepreneurship development summit, and capacity building for more than sixty livestock farmers on modern animal husbandry.

Dr. Alawode expressed gratitude to Onijagbo of Ijagbo, Oba Sharafadeen Adeniyi Buhari Babalola, other traditional rulers in Ibolo Land, the Kwara State Government, ministries, and agencies for their relentless efforts in promoting shared prosperity and poverty reduction. He also expressed readiness to collaborate with governments, NGOs, the private sector, and individuals in the areas of entrepreneurship, education, and leadership development. He also stated that a programme will be put in place to closely monitor the trainees and provide further necessary support as needed in their entrepreneurship journey. All sponsors of the entrepreneurship training and empowerment program, both at home and abroad, were duly recognized and appreciated at the event.

In their separate remarks, the Onijagbo of Ijagbo, represented by Olora of Ijagbo, High Chief Mudashiru Bamidele Ajiboye and the Executive Chairman of Offa Local Government Hon. Sulaiman Olatunji represented by LGA Council Secretary, the National President of Ijagbo Descendants Union, Chief Tunde Agboola Oyawoye epresented by the Union National Treasurer, Mr Gabriel Abolarin and renowned veteran journalist Chief (Mrs.) Moji Makanjuola commended OCEELD and DGIF for the laudable programme and pledged continued support and cooperation as may be required.

The Kwara State Programme Coordinator of the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (LPRES), Mr. Soji Oyawoye, and the representative of the Kwara State Manager at the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency, Mr. Marvelous Olamide Atteh, explained the various programmes available to benefit participants. LPRES also donated educational materials and feed items for livestock farming participants.

The trainees at the end of the programme expressed appreciation to OCEELD and promised to apply the knowledge gained and the empowerment provided.