Deputy Senate Minority Leader, Dr. Lere Oyewumi, has called on women and youth of the Osun West Senatorial District to embrace entrepreneurship, which will afford them financial independence. Speaking on Sunday at an empowerment program in Ikire, Oyewumi handed out grants to the people mostly from his district aimed at putting them through for business initiatives.

Acquisition of vocational skills and pursuit of entrepreneurial activities is a vital aspect, he noted while again pointing out that the initiative falls under the comprehensive strategy aimed at overcoming unemployment and furthering self-sufficiency among local youth and women.

His media aide, Timileyin Popoola, reported that Oyewumi said “empowerment is the antidote to unemployment and self-reliance within our community. Entrepreneurial skill acquisition, as tools for economic growth, is a very important part of us. We need to take advantage of these opportunities to ensure good livelihood.”

He explained that the program was not simply outright financial assistance because he believed that: “It’s not merely a case of providing money but rather provides you with the capacity to generate sustainable means of livelihoods that will affect future generations in a positive manner.”.

It even had commendations from some local political figures.

Of particular note is Mr. Adesoye Oyetunde, Osun West Senatorial Leader of the People’s Democratic Party, where he acknowledges several of Oyewumi’s initiatives and describes him as a dedicated servant of the people. For instance, Osun PDP Chairman, Mr. Sunday Bisi, hailed Oyewumi for his commitment towards improving people’s lives.

That means this is about an effort to encourage entrepreneurship and, consequently, economic resilience from the senator. Popoola opined that, “The empowerment program succeeded in awarding grants to over 800 women and youth from the Osun West Senatorial District, made duly equipped with much-needed resources to support their businesses and vocational pursuits.”.