The Osun State Government has successfully hosted a one-day training and empowerment programme for vulcanizers across the state, reaffirming its commitment to grassroots empowerment and improved road safety.
The programme, organised by the Osun State Ministry of Cooperatives and Empowerment in collaboration with the Federal Road Safety Corps Osun State Command, featured technical training sessions and the distribution of 350 tyre pressure gauges to members of the Osun State Association of Vulcanizers.
Governor Ademola Adeleke, represented at the event by the Deputy Governor, Prince Kola Adewusi, said the initiative was another clear demonstration of his administration’s people-centred governance approach and inclusive development agenda. The event took place at the Staff Development Centre, State Secretariat, Osogbo.
Speaking on behalf of the governor, Adewusi explained that the training and empowerment scheme aligns with the administration’s five-point agenda focused on empowering citizens, uplifting households and strengthening the economic base of the state. He stressed that tyre-related faults, especially tyre bursts and over-gauging, remain one of the leading causes of road accidents.
According to him, equipping vulcanizers with modern tools and updated technical knowledge would significantly reduce the incidence of such accidents on Osun roads. He added that the programme was not only about providing equipment but also about improving standards and safety awareness at the grassroots level.
He said the initiative goes beyond empowerment, as it directly links the daily work of artisans to public safety and sustainable economic growth. Adewusi urged beneficiaries to use the opportunity wisely, expand their businesses and serve as ambassadors of safety and professionalism within their communities.
“This administration is not about empty promises. We deliver, we empower and we transform lives,” the governor declared through his deputy. He assured other artisans in the state that similar empowerment programmes would be rolled out in phases to reach more beneficiaries.
In his welcome address, the Commissioner for Cooperatives and Empowerment, Hon. Prince Bayo Ogungbangbe, described the programme as a strong indication of the Adeleke administration’s commitment to sustainable development, youth empowerment and inclusive economic growth across Osun State.
Ogungbangbe highlighted several empowerment initiatives already carried out by the ministry, including cash grants, business registration support, POS distribution and cooperative financing. He said these interventions were designed to strengthen small businesses and improve livelihoods across the state.
He described the training and distribution of tyre pressure gauges as “a call to responsibility,” urging beneficiaries to apply the skills gained responsibly and maintain high professional standards in their trade.
Also speaking, the Osun State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Mr. Leye Adegboyega, commended the state government for organising the programme. He said the initiative was aimed at deepening professional knowledge and improving daily practice among vulcanizers to protect vehicles and enhance public confidence.
Adegboyega praised the Adeleke administration for its commitment to road safety, human capacity development and the empowerment of grassroots professionals. He urged participants to use the knowledge acquired to grow their businesses and contribute to safer roads across the state.
The event attracted government officials, leaders of artisan associations and road safety stakeholders, marking another milestone in Osun State’s effort to link economic empowerment with public safety and community development.
