Mobilisation for independence through the Mustard-seed Initiative (Project MIMI) has encouraged investors and business owners in Oyo State to encourage entrepreneurs.
Speaking after their peaceful walk to launch 100 cottage industries in soap making, the project coordinator of the programme, Kemi Oshiyemi-Cole, said the goal was to complement the effort of the Oyo State governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde in making youths to be self-employed.
“Project MIMI is a non-governmental organisation which sensitises, trains, empowers, monitors and creates jobs for youths,” Oshiyemi-Cole said.
She stated that the programme began in 2013 and a lot of youths have benefited from the scheme, adding that after training, they used to give the trainees materials to set up their own businesses.
“Governor Makinde has always implored us to do our part to ensure adequate security in our society and this his own solution to the problem of insecurity that pervades the society at the moment. Our thought is that if a youth is gainfully engaged, he will have no time nor inclination to engage in banditry, kidnapping, thuggery, armed robbery, prostitution for the females.
“Mobilisation for Independence through the Mustard-seed Initiative is a project that trains youths in different skills and at the end of the training, we give them the equipment they will need to start cottages of their own. We do not leave them to roam about or become frustrated, we go further by creating awareness for their goods and services because it is when their products are patronised, that is when these youths can be independent and it is only then our vision can become a reality.
“Vision of seeing Oyo State become economically independent is our priority and so far, we have trained over 150 youths in three local government areas of the state and we have empowered them.
“What we are doing today is an awareness walk to showcase the goods and services of our youths. We have trained them and empowered them as well, but we can’t be the ones that would patronise them. We don’t have the capacity to patronise them, we can only appeal to the society, Oyo State citizens and residents should help patronise these youths that we have empowered in order to make them be truly independent.”
Some of the beneficiaries thanked the group for changing their status.
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