In its continued effort to empower young women and tackle unemployment, the Ijebu North branch of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) has successfully graduated one hundred and twenty-three (123) participants from the second phase of its bakery training program.

The graduation ceremony, held at the Ijebu North Local Government Secretariat Hall in Ijebu Igbo on Friday, July 11, was facilitated by the youth council leadership in Ijebu North, in collaboration with Bakery Initiative and the Challenge Fund for Youth Empowerment.

The two-week intensive training aimed at equipping young women with practical skills in baking and pastry production, enabling them to become self-reliant and economically empowered.

In his remarks at the closing event, NYCN Coordinator, Ogbeni Abolaji Adeniyi Sobowale, expressed deep appreciation to the Ijebu North Local Government Executive Chairman, Hon. ‘Bolaji Odusanya, for his unwavering support in ensuring the success of the exercise.

He also commended the youth officer in the local government, stakeholders and members of the NYCN executive for their dedication and commitment to youth development.

“This is more than just a training. To me, it’s a pathway to economic freedom,” Sobowale said. “I urge all beneficiaries to take this opportunity seriously, leverage the skills they’ve acquired and position themselves as job creators in the ever-expanding bakery industry.”

The highlight of the event was a testimony from Adeoye Itunuoluwa, a beneficiary of the first phase of the training, who shared her inspiring story of how the program transformed her life and enabled her to establish her own bakery brand. She encouraged the new graduates to stay focused and see the bigger picture in entrepreneurship.

Each graduate received a certificate of completion and start-up tools to support their entrepreneurial journey. Many of them pledged to immediately launch their own bakery ventures, promising to delight the market with a variety of pastries and baked goods.

The bakery training program forms part of the Youth Council’s commitment to youth empowerment through skills acquisition, capacity building and entrepreneurship.

In attendance at the remarkable event were; Mr. Jamiu Odugbemi (Director, Community & Social Development), Mrs. Adesanya (Deputy Director, Community & Social Development), Mr. Ganiyu Adebamiro (State Youth Officer), Mr. Gbenga Okuneye (Local Government Youth Officer), Hon. Ayotomiwa Issa (Councillor representing Ward 1, Atikori) and an officer of the DSS.