By Seun Adams
The Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu, on Technical, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Education (SSAP-TVEE), Abiola Arogundade, over the weekend in furtherance of the spirit of the Renewed Hope mandate, coupled with the spur from the Minister of Women’s Affairs, Mrs. Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, took a selfless and philanthropic move to put smile on Mrs. Tijani Amina Oluwatobiloba, a single mother and hairdresser.
Arogundade provided her with a made-in-Nigeria solar kiosk and financial assistance of N500, 000 to enhance her business and livelihood at an event in Wuse Shopping Plaza.
The recipient, Mrs. Tijani Amina Oluwatobiloba expressed her gratitude amidst tears, stating that she had regained hope, thanks to the support she received.
It will be recalled that on Saturday, June 9, 2024, the SSAP-TVEE awarded a generous sum of N100 Million, 120 successful beneficiaries and participants of the UNLOCK Training program.
In a statement made available to the Media, the Assistant Chief Information Officer to the SSA, Mr. Henry David, said the initiative also extended support to 80 entrepreneurs through the distribution of solar kiosks to program beneficiaries positively impacting numerous aspiring business owners.
Arogundade, emphasized that these actions aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda which aims to bolster technical, vocational and entrepreneurship skills throughout Nigeria. She also underscored the significance of assisting individuals with skills but limited resources to develop their businesses as well as those who lack physical locations to conduct their business activities as exemplified by the beneficiary of the day.
“We are developing different programmes together and one of the programmes is empowering people that already have skills but cannot develop their skills or take their skills to the next level.
So we thought about training those that need the skills and supporting some that already have the skills but need funding and those who have skills but don’t have physical location, like our daughter here, Amina with solar kiosks.”
Recalling the events that led her to the beneficiary, Madam Arogundade said it was the story by the Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs. Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, about her that informed the decision to give her both Solar Kiosk and a grant of N500, 000 to support her business.
According to the SSAP-TVEE, “The Minister was so passion about her that we decided to give her a double portion of our gesture, because of her passion in developing her skill,” adding that ordinarily beneficiaries either got N500, 000 grant or solar kiosk.
And disclosing the intention of her Office to empower more women, not just in Abuja but from different states across the country based on the skill they choose, the TVEE boss declared, “So, we are training in different skills. And this is indeed the passion and vision of the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”.
To motivate the other women who gathered to witness the epoch-making occasion, Arogundade, said that empowerment and the creation of jobs was her core mandates and she is not limiting it only to the FCT but to the rest of the country. She also implored them not to give up in their quest for a better country.
“This is what we want to do for women across the country, so don’t give up because we are trying to create jobs through TVET”, she said.
Speaking to newsmen on maintenance of the kiosk, the SSAP-TVEE said artisans have been train by her Office to build the kiosks on site and maintain them. “They (artisans) will be coming from time to time for routine check on the kiosk and maintain it if the need arises, most especially the batteries.”
She further added, “The kiosk is owned by the beneficiary, who has the freedom to relocate it as she wishes without any limitations. Anyone willing to get trained can write to our office and we will immediately include you o n our schedule for such training.”
According to her, the Minister of Women Affairs Barrister Uju Kennedy-Onyejeocha emphasized the challenging circumstances faced by the beneficiary, who had endured significant hardship while braiding hair to support her two children as a single parent.
The Minister she said noted the woman’s exceptional dedication and lack of support adding that the SSAP-TVEE expressed interest in dedicate one of the solar kiosks and a grant totaling N500, 000 to her Ministry. In the light of that the Minister considered identifying a deserving recipient for the solar kiosk and grant.
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“I made a conscious decision not to give it to individuals who are self-sufficient because they might sell it for profit. Instead I thought of Amina whom I have known for a long time. When speaking with Abiola, I mentioned that I had already found the right person to give it to.
“I mentioned that I couldn’t achieve this alone and that the credit belongs to the SSAP-TVEE and Mr. President. Their support made it possible for me to have a kiosk to present to Amina. That is why we are here – to officially present this kiosk.”
Lauding the decision of the SSAP-TVEE for the decision to gift Amina N500,000, the Minister expressed deep gratitude, stating, “I am truly grateful for President Tinubu’s commitment to the welfare of the poor, I know the poor. His declaration to not suffocate the poor” is truly reflected in this generous gesture by Abiola today.”
TOluwatobiloba, the recipient of the generous gesture, was visibly moved, expressing her profound gratitude with tears of joy. She shared that she had never received such kindness before and was deeply touched by the unexpected gift. She expressed her gratitude to the President, the Minister and the SSA to the President for their generosity, emphasizing the positive impact it has had in her life
“I am overwhelmed by this gesture.
I thank Mr. President, I thank my Mummy here (Minister) for making it happen. Without her, people would not have known me. I also thank the SSA to the President who decided to give me double portion of her kindness, both the kiosk and N500,000. They have given me back my life”, she said.
Madam Bilikisu Salawu, the Woman Leader of the Wuse Shopping Plaza, affectionately referred to the recipient as her beloved daughter and expressed optimism about the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Administration’s ability to uplift the underprivileged amid the current economic challenges. She highlighted her confidence in President Tinubu’s commitment to grassroots, development and expressed faith that his administration would bring positive change for the less fortunate.
