The lawmaker representing the Lagos East Senatorial District, Senator Gbenga Ashafa, on Sunday gave about 5,000 youths tools they needed to be their own employers.
The youths, who spread across the five local government areas and local council development areas in the constituency, got items such as sewing machines, hair dryers, barbing kits with generators, vulcanising machines and grinding machines, among others.
Asafa said the gesture was meant to sustain the peace enjoyed by residents of the constituency.
The lawmaker, who gave out the items at Ikosi-Ketu, said he believed that if the beneficiaries put the tools into good use, they would become employers of labour and would have no time to cause trouble.
He said, “This is my plan, if you are empowered today, you will also in no time, become employers of labour, and there will be no way for you to foment trouble.
“I have realised that some of you have skills in various vocations, but lack the wherewithal to set up a business for yourself and become self-employed. This is why I deemed it fit to empower you with these tools to make you self-employed, having assisted you financially earlier.”
Ashafa, who was represented by a senior aide, Laide Adesanya, added that a strategy had been put in place to monitor the progress of the beneficiaries, saying he would hold a regular meeting with them to know their progresses and challenges.
One of the beneficiaries, Jimoh Balogun, commended the lawmaker for the gesture, saying it was an opportunity for them to better their lives.
He said, “Many people look at us as touts who can’t contribute to the society. This is an opportunity to change that thinking. I hope to make a good use of these tools and become employer of labour soon.”
Another beneficiary, who is also a youth leader, Gbenga Omogbolahan, lauded the lawmaker, saying many constituents had benefited from his empowerment programmes.
“We will try our best to use the tools responsibly because to whom much is given, much is expected,” he added.
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