With the aim of promoting self-reliance among youths, the Barods Empowerment Foundation has equipped more than 30 students in Ogun State with practical skills in areas such as baking, tie-and-dye, and makeup through a three-day empowerment programme.
Our correspondent gathered that, the students were trained in different vocational skills such as hairdressing, graphic design, Tye and dye production, baking, Hand-woven art skills, makeup artist & Gele tying.
Speaking on the mission and purpose of the foundation, the co-founder of BARODS Empowerment Foundation, Mr Babatunde Denton, said the foundation was established as a means of giving back to the society.
Mr Denton, who is also the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Barods Global Limited, a real estate company here in Abeokuta, while speaking on what prompted the training programme for youths awaiting admission said, “The reason behind the training was linked to one of their recently concluded projects, E Go Better Academic Support program for less privileged or financially disadvantaged students who were unable to pay their WAEC fees.
“They have now written their WAEC, and most of their results are coming out. I can proudly tell you that these students are coming out with flying colours.”
“But right now, during the holiday period, we see it as another opportunity to help these students develop further. Remember, it’s not all about academics. If you have academic knowledge, you also need vocational skills to be self-sufficient as you move into tertiary institutions.”
“This inspired us to put together this skill acquisition and training program for youths, most of whom are waiting for admission. Many of the students who were successful in their WAEC are now being brought into this program so they can acquire skills that will help them generate income. These are financially disadvantaged students, many of whom are orphans or from less privileged homes. With these skills, they might be able to take care of themselves in small ways.
“Since they have finished their secondary school, and before they write JAMB next year, within this one year gap, the skills they pick up here can support them. Those who develop a deeper interest in what they have learned can also further build themselves before going into higher institutions.
“This program is entirely and fully sponsored by Barods Empowerment Foundation. For this particular project, I am not sure we have sought any outside support, aside from myself, some of the team members here, and my co-founder, Mr. Ali Banjo, in the UK.
While urging the beneficiaries, Mr Denton said “For the beneficiaries, I would say life is not a bed of roses. But the Foundation has helped them to take a giant step into something that can become big for them. Even whatever they have learned from school, their O’Level results are just a stepping stone. This is just the beginning.
“So, whatever knowledge they have acquired here should not be left idle. It’s just like collecting your O’Level result and keeping it under the bed without writing JAMB. Can you progress after that? Definitely not. The same applies here. After this skill acquisition training, they will be certified, and then they can go for further training or start using what they have learned to seek opportunities and support themselves, “Dentin added.
On her parts, The Chairperson, Skill Acquisition 2.0, Barods Empowerment Foundation, Oluwatoyosi Akinbobol explained that the skill acquisition training was as a result of the love for youths and means to uplift them in different skills.
According to her “This skill acquisition training was born out of a love for the youth. We looked at which youth we could help this year, and we saw that many are waiting for admission and just staying at home doing nothing. We thought, why not empower them with a skill that will start putting money in their pockets? That is what brought about this skill acquisition program.
“The training is for both genders, from ages 18 down to 22 or 25, and it is open to both females and males and for the past three days, starting on the 21st of August, and today being the last day, the 23rd, we’ve trained them on baking, cooking, graphic designing, hand weaving crafts. We’ve also done makeup and gele tying, and we also have the hairdressing department as well.
“Fortunately for us, we’ve had participants that are very noble. They have been showing up consistently on day one, day two, and day three. Some of them have been here from the very first day till now.
“Their trainers and facilitators are also looking out for the best in their teams so we can empower them with whatever the foundation can support them with. That way, they can continue to practice and also start making money from these skills.”
“We have 30 students in total, and yes, it is 5–5 in each department.”, she concluded.
Also speaking, Mr. Ajibola Akinwande, enjoined the students to make adequate use of the skills they have been able to acquire under the training programme.
His words “My message is clear. Just as I addressed them, there is a popular saying that has always been an inspiration to me personally, and I shared it with them. And what is that?
“When preparation meets opportunity, then success is inevitable.”
“That is my major advice to them. They should see this program as a way of preparing themselves for what the future holds and for the opportunities that society has to offer. In the Nigeria of today, you can not solely depend on a white-collar job or a salary job.
“When you learn a craft, when you acquire a skill, you can determine the exact amount you want to be earning. So, we can only encourage them to build on this foundation that Barods Empowerment Foundation has laid and take these skills to a higher ground. This will not only make them better individuals for themselves but also for the nation as a whole. ”
In their separate remarks, two of the trainees, Oluwatomisin Emmanuel from the Hairdressing Department and Ifeoluwa Owolabi, appreciated the foundation for providing them the opportunity free of charge, therefore expressed their excitement and gratitude over the skills they acquired during the programme.
Emmanuel said the training had broadened her knowledge of hairdressing, as she previously had little understanding of it, explaining that she can now plait hair, including weaving, and has learned the proper use of different soaps and combs for hair care.
Owolabi, on her part, said she came with the aim of acquiring skills, and the experience has been both impactful and exciting.
According to her, she can now confidently apply makeup and tie gele perfectly.