- Oluwabukunmi Falana, 13 yrs old, SSS 2, Valencia College, Ibadan
During holidays, I went to Christian camps; travelled and mostly stayed at home doing chores, playing games, and sometimes attend summer coaching. My parents allowed me to learn a skill organised by ‘Teenage Entrepreneurship & Empowerment Initiative,’ with a high expectation that I would return home with additional skill. I acquired skills in baking and leather works. Both skills have such thing as calculation, measurement, use of protective clothes, etc. By the time we resumed, I was no longer able to practice because I stay in the hostel. But, as soon as we have another break, I would make a bag, a purse, belt, hand band and any other leather work. I can make and sell in the hostel for money when we resume. I shall advertise my leather works and catering.
- Precious Omotunrabi, 15 yrs old, SSS 3, St. Annes School, Molete, Ibadan
During holidays, I usually stay at home with my siblings. I am very happy to have had an opportunity of adding value to myself as a girl through the skill acquisition programme. I learnt how to apply make up. I like to beautify people’s faces. I would work on this skill more and be creative about it.
- Temilola Olubodun, 15 yrs old, SSS 3, St. Annes School, Molete, Ibadan
I started to plait hair since age six without undergoing any training and I started making money using the skill at age twelve. Through vocational training, I learnt how to make wig. My mum has been supportive; she purchased some of the materials that I would need to begin my own business. I plan to advertise what I do on social media and through one-on-one contact. My appreciation goes to the organisers of the programme; I pray that God will bless the works of their hands.
- Saidat Alapinni, 15 yrs old, SSS 3, St. Annes School, Molete, Ibadan
I desired to become a dancer, so I was very glad when the opportunity opened for me. When I told my parents that I would like to attend a training that my friend told me about, my mum frowned at first until I explained that it was a skill acquisition programme. I seized the opportunity to pursue my dream in creative dance for free. I appreciate dancers because it is not an easy job; the training was stressful let alone the actual performance. I will teach whoever is interested. The organiser of the vocation training made my dream come through. I now have something to engage me after my passing out of secondary school while waiting for my admission into higher institution.
- Oyindamola Taiwo, 15 yrs old, SSS 3, St. Annes School, Molete, Ibadan
I will forever remain grateful to the organiser of ‘Acquire a skill Ibadan’ because he has given us a platform to operate. My parents admonished me to focus on the training. In future, I would like to meet needs of the people as well.
- Blessing John, 17 yrs old, SSS 3, St. Annes School, Molete, Ibadan
I got to know about “Adopt a skill Ibadan,” organised by Teenage Entrepreneurship and Empowerment Initiative through my class teacher. I have interest in learning how to tie gele. Now, I can tie infinity pleats , fan, casual, bling/rose and side rows types of gele. My gratitude goes to the organisers of these training.
- Mojisola Akinyemi, 16 yrs old, SSS 3, St. Annes School, Molete, Ibadan
I usually stay at home during holidays but Teenage Entrepreneurship & Empowerment Initiative made the last holiday a different one for me. I was able to add value to myself by acquiring knowledge of paper craft such as bridal flower (bouquet), wall decorations made from special papers such as ‘sugar’ paper, etc. I was baffled when my tutor started making various wall flowers with paper. My parents, particularly my father was very glad about the skills that I required.
- Oloruntishefunmi Abiola, 13 yrs old, SSS 3, St. Annes School, Molete, Ibadan
I developed the passion for a lot of things during holidays such as reading, traveling, writing songs, scripts and I make fabric designs. With the initial passion, I decided to get trained so as to put my creative ability into use. My mum really encouraged me by saying sooner or later it would serve as a source of income for me. I saw the programme as God-sent for young minds like us because it helped us against being idle. I’m very happy about it.
- Deborah Ogunwole, 16 yrs old, SSS 3, St. Annes School, Molete, Ibadan
I always go for coaching as well as helping my parents at home during holidays but last holiday was different because I learnt how to make unisex leather belts and bracelets but, the materials are expensive. The leather works that I did during the training would be uploaded on the social media so that people can see and make requests. I believe that the knowledge that I acquired would help me in future.
- Oluwatomilayo Banjo, 15 yrs old, SSS 3, St. Annes School, Molete, Ibadan
My class teacher informed me about the entrepreneurship programme but coincidentally, it started on the day I ended the training on photography. All aspects of it are very interesting; you catch fun and make people laugh. I see myself having my own photo studio in the future. This serves as an addition to academic knowledge. I give kudos to the organizers.