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By Emmanuel Adeleke
The lawmaker representing Ibadan South East/North East Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives,Hon. Abass Adigun, popularly known as Agboworin) as empowered 781 persons in his constituency, with training in various vocations and tools to start up small businesses.
Agboworin, who joined politics after serving in the United States Navy, is the Vice Chairman, House Committee on Air Force and a member of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP).
After a weeklong training for beneficiaries in Information and Communication Technology (ICT), telephone repair, Point of Sale (PoS) transactions and sewing of duvets and pillows, the lawmaker presented tools and cash support to enable them start off with ease. The empowerment, which was part of his constituency project, cost about N200 million.
During the presentation ceremony, which held at CAC Grammar School, Aperin, Ibadan, on Saturday, Agboworin urged the elated beneficiaries to put the knowledge acquired and the tools into best use to enable them enjoy economic enhancement. He stressed that the empowerment would help them to be economically independent and make it easy for them to pursue their dreams in life.
“The aim of empowering our people was borne out of the need to reduce unemployment and social vices in my constituency, and to add value to the living standard of our people.
“This gesture is part of efforts to fulfill my campaign promises of providing employment opportunities for youth and women.
“I call on all beneficiaries today to make good use of the items. I assure you that many more youth and women will continue to benefit from these interventions. I will thrive to do my best to provide the dividends of democracy to you.”
In addition to those trained, the lawmaker presented other beneficiaries with 25 generators, 15 freezers, four motorcycles, five tricycles and cash empowerment.
The beneficiaries praised Agboworin for the empowerment, saying he has provided them with the platform to earn better living.
An ICT beneficiary, Akinola Omotoso, commended the lawmaker, stressing that the training and laptop will help him launch
into ICT, adding that with the laptop, he could perform tasks for individuals and organisations without opening a shop.
A phone repair beneficiary of phone, Favour Adedamola, also showered encomiums on the lawmaker. He said the gesture would immediately help him earn income as virtually every everyone uses a mobile phone.
At the ceremony were party chieftains and community leaders.