..To training Osun youths on entrepreneurial skills in OAU
By Nafisat Alayo, Osogbo
Former Deputy Governor of Osun, Otunba Mrs. Titi Tomori-Ponnle, has described the empowerment of youths and women as a cornerstone for sustainable development and national progress.
According to Tomori-Ponnle, empowering our young people and women is not just a matter of social justice, it is the cornerstone of sustainable development and national progress.
She disclosed this on Saturday at the official launching of her Foundation “Titi Tomori-Ponnle Foundation” held at the Olagunsoye Oyinlola’s auditorium, Osun State University, Osogbo.
Tomori-Ponnle said that the foundation was launched to reduce unemployment rate among the youths and empower the women across State and Nigeria at large.
She stated the programme will provide a three-month intensive training for beneficiaries at Obafemi Awolowo University on entrepreneurial skills free of charge.
According to her “This foundation represents a new dawn of opportunities for our youths and women across Osun State and Nigeria. It is my way of giving back to society and creating a lasting legacy that will continue to impact generations to come.
“The Titi Tomori-Ponnle Foundation emerges from a deep-seated vision to create a society where every youth, especially our women, can reach their full potential, achieve economic independence, and actively participate in shaping their communities.
“Our approach is both comprehensive and practical, built on several key pillars that will drive transformative change:
“We believe in the power of education as the greatest equalizer. Through our scholarship programmes and vocational training initiatives, we will open doors of opportunity for talented youths. with special emphasis on girls and women in underserved communities.
“We understand that skills development is crucial in today’s rapidly evolving world, hence, we are committed to comprehensive skills development. Our foundation will conduct regular workshops in digital literacy, financial management, and entrepreneurship.
“Together, we can build a brighter future where every youth and woman have the opportunity to thrive and contribute meaningfully to society.
“Participants will be selected based on merit, irrespective of political or religious affiliations. With certifications and practical skills, they will be equipped to start their own businesses, gain employment, or even become employers of labor. She said.
Wife of former governor of Ekiti State, Erelu Bisi Fayemi while delivering a lecture titled; “Breaking Barriers: Empowering the next generation of Nigerian women in business and public life”, called on lawmakers both national ans at state level to prioritize legislative and quality frameworks aimed at bridging the gender justice and equality gap in the country.
Fayemi emphasized the importance of equal representation for women in appointments,stating that this would build continual faith in the system and empower women to contribute meaningful to the nation development.
“Prioritise legislative and quality framework to bridge the gender justice and equality gap, champion sexual harassment prohibition bill at the national and state levels, give continual faith to women with equal representation in appointments.”
“Women need sustainable partnership with men, need to make education of the girl child safe and less traumatic and investment in consistent and planned manner for the girl child.”
“There should be gender-friendly legislations that would provide enabling environment for women to achieve their full potential in the country.” Fayemi stated.
Also speaking the chairman of the occasion, The former governor of Osun State Bisi Akande applauded the initiative saying that it is a instrument to adopt skill acquisition to tackle ignorance and unemployment in our country.
He advised the initiative that for the foundation to stand the test if time all efforts must be spared towards sustenance and work together to be a society that values and empowers women and youths.
