Ogun State Agricultural and Multipurpose Credit Agency (OSAMCA) has initiated a skill acquisition programme, intending to capture 6,000 youths across the three Senatorial Districts of the State.

 The programme, which was flagged off in Sagamu, Sagamu Local Government Area of the State three weeks ago, will include vocations like Event Management and Decorations, Website Design and Digital Marketing, Fish Farming, Hats and Fascinators, Cinematography, Fashion Designing, Shoe Making, Generator Repair, among others.

Commissioner for Industry, Trade and Investment, Mrs. Kikelomo Longe revealed this in Abeokuta at a follow-up training for the youths in Ogun Central Senatorial Districts, saying the programme is a means of ensuring that participants acquire and develop requisite skills, which would help them become entrepreneurs that provide goods and services profitably.

Longe added that the Agency is committed to working in line with the job creation drive of the present administration, to further empower the people and improve their prosperity, calling on the participants to see the training as a golden opportunity to start and grow their businesses.

“This new initiative by OSAMCA, which is known to be a credit lending agency is targeting 6,000 beneficiaries enabling participants in relevant skills that can make youths self-reliant, by acquiring and developing requisite skills which will help them become entrepreneurs and provide goods and services profitably”, the Commissioner explained.

Longe noted that the training had covered 1,200 youths in Sagamu, while 2,200 would be trained in Abeokuta, expressing satisfaction at various products produced by the trainees and assured that the present administration would continue to provide support for businesses including start-up packs.

“You are the architect of your fortune therefore you have to sit in the driver’s seat and begin to drive your future according to what you want for yourself. You have this opportunity to acquire skills, provide solutions and make money from effectively utilising your skills, please use them well”, the Commissioner advised.

Speaking earlier, the Chairman, OSAMCA, Hon. Abayomi Hunye said the Agency has been supporting entrepreneurs and artisans in their businesses, through the provision of loan facilities, noting that it is on course towards achieving its target on the novel skill acquisition programme, particularly for the youths.

 "OSAMCA has been supporting Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) operating in the agricultural and non-agricultural sectors to thrive, and the agency will ensure that the newly introduced skill acquisition programme engages youths in productive ventures”, Hunye assured.

Some of the participants, Mr. Olajide Emmanuel and Miss Precious Ezekiel in their responses lauded the State government for the programme, promising to put the knowledge gained to good use