THE Ilorin Emirate Youth Development Association (IEYDA) organised an empowerment programme for the less-privileged in an effort to reduce poverty and create opportunities for the downtrodden in the society.

The event which witnessed large turn out of dignitaries and youths from all walks of life took place at the Emir’s palace, Ilorin.

The chairman of the occasion, Engr. Kamilu Dauda Okoh urged government at all levels and well endowed individuals in the community to create opportunities for entrepreneurship skills for the teeming unemployed youths in order to reduce the sufferings of the people.

Okoh called on government to give support to the association (IEYDA) to create more jobs opportunity for the youths.

In his remark, he thanked the Ilorin Emirate Youth Development Association (IEYDA) for the initiative.

The guess speaker, Director, centre for Entrepreneurship Studies, Kwara State University, Malete, Dr. Hakeem Ajonbadi, has challenged political office holders in Nigeria to channel resources being expended on extravagant life style to empowering the less privileged, especially youths and aged women, in the society.

The varsity don, who spoke with journalists during an empowerment program organised by the Ilorin Emirate Youth Development Association, (IEYDA),‎ said the huge resources being committed to capital-flight when invested into the economy would create more jobs for the timing unemployed youths.

He also observed that many Nigerians do not require huge amount of money to start off business, stressing that, “ten to twenty thousand naira can make a lot of difference in some peoples’ lives.”

Ajonbadi however, expressed concern that some elected political office holders, especially at the grass root, have distanced themselves from their people which, according to him, was necessary for them to feel their pulse.

The Islamic Cleric, Sheikh Shafi Shuaib Alaye in his sermon described Islam as a total way of life, and charged Muslims to let the lessons of the religion mirrored in all our daily activities.

He commended the efforts of Shaikh Alimi for the spread of Islam in Ilorin and its environ and called on scholars to follow the footstep of the Shaikh for the success in this world and Hereafter.

He appreciated the Ilorin Emirate Youth Development Association (IEYDA) and explains that for any society to move forward, attention should be drawn to the less privilege ones.

In his address, the President of the Association, Alhaji Abdullahi B. Salawu said the objectives of the association was to ensure that each of the beneficiaries and their dependants have a stable source of income that would enable them afford at least three square meals daily and sustain their family upkeep.

Alhaji Abdullahi B. Salawu said the beneficiaries of the programme, which according to him will be an annual event, were selected from the five local governments that comprise Ilorin Emirate, based on the needs of their vocations and trade.

He said, “38 people, including the aged and widows were given empowerment materials while 15 indigents and students benefited from different forms of economic empowerment programs.

“The scheme would be a continuous exercise to further compliment government efforts,” just as he thanked donors who contributed to the schemes in cash and kind.

Items distributed to the beneficiaries included cash, sewing machines,food items for dealers of raw foods items e.t.c.