The Ademola Agoro Empowerment Foundation has officially launched its operations in Ijebu Jesa, Osun State, with a dedicated commitment to empowering widows, youths, and other vulnerable Nigerians through skills acquisition and vocational training, and provisions of start-up capital.
During the event, cash prizes were given to widows and people with disabilities, while empowerment tools such as vulcanizing machines, generating sets, sewing machines, grinding machines, and welding machines were distributed to beneficiaries.
Speaking at the launch event earlier in the week, Engineer Ademola Agoro, immediate past vice president of the Nigerian Society of Engineers and Managing Director of Protogy Global, explained the inspiration behind the foundation.
“The motive behind it is empowerment—to be able to help people, just like the way it is—so that people can learn and live an independent life,” he said.
The foundation’s newly commissioned building will serve as a vocational study centre, offering free training and accommodation to participants.
“We would bring people together, we would teach them something that they can learn and they can use to earn a living. That’s the essence,” Agoro stated.
Regarding the project’s funding, Agoro revealed that the financial aspect has been challenging but worthwhile.
“To be honest, it is very difficult to say this is how much I have spent, It is part of the CSR of Protogy Global that is funding the foundation. It is difficult. That’s just the truth. In fact, I don’t keep track of the amount of money and everything I spend.”
Addressing the youth, he offered a message of perseverance and warned against seeking shortcuts in life.
“There is no shortcut in life. Everything that is a shortcut will lead to destruction. I would advise them to look at what they can use their hand to do, and see how they can do it well and consistently. God will bless them, and they will get to wherever they want to get to.”
Also present at the event, Honourable Nathaniel Agunbiade, a former member of the House of Representatives, highlighted the importance of private contributions to national development.
“Government alone cannot cater for the citizens. Engineer Ademola Agoro, through his foundation, has been very supportive. People will come to that place, not only to train, they will train free of charge, they will be accommodated without paying a penny.”
Agunbiade praised Agoro’s previous efforts in the community, including the establishment of a free primary school and a technical vocational college in the town.
“Your kids come into that school without paying a penny, free books, free uniform, and free feeding. By way of felicitating with our people at this Easter period, he has brought some food items to be distributed to our people. We are all proud of him.”
In his address, the Elerinmo of Erinmo Ijesha, Oba Dr Michael Odunayo Ajayi, Arowotawaya II, urged beneficiaries to take the opportunity seriously and discouraged the misuse of empowerment resources.
“People are empowered, given machineries to improve their business, but rather than do that, they have turned this around and sold them. It is important that people know that being taught how to fish is better than just being given fish.”
He also warned against get-rich-quick schemes: “When somebody says he’s doing investment, puts a hundred thousand naira somewhere and expects to get two hundred and fifty thousand in two weeks, that is criminal. That is not investment, acquire some little machinery and start some little work, and God can then bless the handwork.”
Commending Engineer Agoro’s impact, the monarch said: “We thank Engineer Isaac Agoro of Erinmoland for his efforts to boost the livelihood of the people. I also encourage other people like him all over Nigeria to please look back and pull up somebody.”
The foundation announced it will train at least 25 people in technical skills, providing accommodation and feeding throughout the program.