The Executive Chairman of Alimosho Local Government, Hon. Akinpelu Ibrahim Johnson, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to youth empowerment following the completion of a three-week Adire attire-making training programme for 50 young residents of the council. The training was organised by the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Alimosho Chapter, and fully sponsored by the local government as part of efforts to promote the Chairman’s development blueprint known as the WISE Agenda.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony held at the Alimosho Local Government Secretariat Hall, Hon. Akinpelu Johnson announced a ₦3 million loan support fund for the beneficiaries. According to him, the fund will help the graduands purchase production materials, expand their businesses, and begin earning sustainable income. He encouraged the participants to organise themselves into groups to access the support. “Form yourselves into clusters and operate as a cooperative. The council will fund the cooperative with ₦3 million, which you will use among yourselves for material procurement and production. It is a revolving loan. You are our pride,” he said.
A key highlight of the event was the official decoration of the Executive Chairman as the Grand Patron of NYCN, Alimosho Branch, while the Vice Chairman was decorated as Patron of the council chapter of the youth body.
Hon. Akinpelu urged the graduates to take advantage of the growing national demand for Adire fabrics by producing quality materials and showcasing their work at exhibitions, markets, social events, and other public platforms. He referenced his experience at a budget retreat in Abeokuta where he was impressed by the standard of Adire fabrics on display, noting that it motivated his belief in the economic potential of the craft for local producers.
During the ceremony, participants displayed colourful Adire pieces made during the intensive training, showing skill in different production techniques. Certificates of participation were presented to all graduands, signalling a new stage of opportunity, creativity, and economic inclusion for young people in Alimosho.
