As the world marked the International Day for Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO Day), a call has gone to lecturers, members of the University of Ilorin community, and the general public to emulate the laudable efforts of the University’s Technical and Entrepreneurship Centre (TEC) and one of her programmes in partnership with ASBE Global Innovations (African Support Bureau for Entrepreneurship, ASBE).
Prof. Foluke Eunice Sola-Ojo of the Faculty of Agriculture, stated this while speaking on a UNILORIN FM. programme
In the programme, anchored by the Station Manager, Mr. Idris Alooma, Prof. Sola-Ojo revealed that the giant strides of TEC-ASBE in empowering the less privileged was initiated by the Director of TEC, Prof. U. A. Raheem, and supported by ASBE Global Founders and the Management of the University.
She said that TEC rolled out numerous programme initiatives aimed at assisting students, staff, and the general public. In January this year, some students won a life changing amount of money during the TEC-ASBE innovation Summit. According to her, a student of the University, Miss Olowa Dorcas, won the sum of N1 million for emerging as the best in Scale-up competition during the TEC-ASBE 2.0, the money was donated by Meristem Securities Limited and she will be able to scale up her plantain chips production business. Other students won N700,000, N500,000 and so. This showcases TEC’s commitment to promoting entrepreneurship, innovation, and self-reliance.
Prof. Sola-Ojo emphasised that poverty alleviation and eradication are everybody’s business. She advocated the encouragement of backyard farming, including animal rearing and the use of sack cultivators, to increase food production and availability. The don also enjoined government and wealthy individuals to assist the less privileged so that many good brains can emerge with better education.
The Professor of Animal Production said that the University of Ilorin is committed to producing self-reliant graduates who can become employers of labour. To achieve this, the University has established various programmes, including skill acquisition at TEC, work and earn, SIWES, Internship, U- INSPIRE and industrial training.
She pointed out that the efforts of TEC are a shining examples of what can be achieved when individuals and institutions work together to empower the less privileged. She stressed that as we mark NGO Day, we recognise the critical role that the TEC plays in promoting socio-economic development and improving the lives of marginalised individuals
Prof Sola-Ojo said that the TEC is a beacon of hope for the less privileged, and its efforts deserve to be emulated by all. “As we celebrate NGO Day, let us renew our commitment to empowering marginalised communities and promoting socio-economic development in our society”, she said.
