The Oyo State Government through Rural Finance Institution Building Programme has trained 240 personalities in various skill acquisitions and capacity building in 6 Local Government Areas of the State.
While declaring open the capacity building at Ona-Ara Local Government Araea, the Honourable Commissioner for Agriculture, Natural Resources and Rural Development, Prince Oyewumi Oyewole, stated that the training programme was geared towards achieving objectives of the scheme and for participants to have knowledge in various skills so that they can have steady income as well as to open their eyes to other sources of income.
He therefore admonished the participants to listen with rapt attention for it is better to learn how to fish than to beg for fish, saying at the end of the programme their lives will never remain the same financially.
In his welcome address,the Chairman, Ona-Ara Local Government area, Hon. Biliamin Ogundele expressed his pleasure to the government for honouring the event, adding that the training would serves as an eye opener and a means to better lives of the rural dwellers.
In a remarks, the State Project Coordinator, RUFIN and the State Microfinance Officer, Comrade Ogundiran Olusola, revealed that the programme is International Fund for Agricultural Development IFAD assisted federal government programme, adding that the programme started with 3 local governments in Oyo state about a year ago, and as a result of the achievements recorded on the programme, made His Excellency, Governor Abiola Ajimobi approved an expansion of the project, stressing that due to limited resources available, only 6 local governments were added.
Comrade Ogundiran maintained that Ona-Ara local government is ahead of other local governments as they are in the third stage which is the skill gap building.
The Project Coordinator pointed out that the financial suppliers observed that people have been stagnated over six months and so, a skill gap study was conducted and the study in turn, birthed the skill acquisition programme.
He maintained that 17 different skills such as soap making, popcorn, insecticide production and many others would be learnt by participants in two days.
He noted that 240 participants representing each group will be trained and they in turn, would train their members at their respective groups
Commending the State Government’s effort in ensuring better life for the rural dwellers, a participants, Adekunle Stephen, said members were given access to micro finance banks loan which has not been difficult to repay monthly.
He therefore admonished fellow participants to manage and work with the little they have saying that little investments could bring great turn over.
