PHOTO NEWS: FG trains 200 Oyo youths in AI, fashion under poverty reduction scheme

By Adejayan Gbenga

The Federal Government has commenced the Oyo State phase of its National Poverty Reduction with Growth Strategy programme, training 200 selected youths in practical skills to promote entrepreneurship and sustainable livelihoods.

The training, implemented through the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Technical, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Education, began on Monday at the Kensington Adebutu Hall, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, University of Ibadan.

The programme, which will run until October 9, focuses on graphics and artificial intelligence, makeup and fashion designing, with participants expected to acquire skills they can use to establish businesses and generate income.

Speaking with journalists during the training, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Technical, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Education, Dr. Abiola Arogundade, said the initiative was designed to move more people from poverty to prosperity by equipping them with practical skills and business-support tools.

Arogundade said 200 people were being trained under the current programme, while 700 beneficiaries would receive sewing machines on October 9 to enable them start businesses after completing their training.

She said the provision of skills and equipment would create a multiplier effect, as beneficiaries could establish businesses, generate income and support their families, adding that fashion trainees would receive sewing machines, while graphics and AI trainees would receive laptops and makeup trainees would get fully equipped kits.

One of the AI beneficiaries, Akin Sunday, described the training as insightful, saying participants had been introduced to AI, Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator, while another beneficiary, Fatomibi Joshua, said the programme had contributed positively to his personal development and urged the government to sustain such initiatives. Other beneficiaries commended the government for providing them with practical skills and alternative means of livelihood.

The programme will end with a graduation and grand finale on October 9, when 500 tablets will also be distributed to young Nigerians as part of the Federal Government’s digital empowerment initiative,