Wife of Ekiti State Governor, Dr Olayemi Oyebanji has encouraged the people of the state to embrace vocations in order to reduce the alarming rate of unemployment, especially among school leavers.
The Governor’s wife made this known in Ado Ekiti while addressing newsmen shortly after moving round the exhibition of hand-made and craft works which is part of activities lined up for a week-long Festival of Arts and Culture in Ekiti State, EKIFEST.
She observed that most of the Art works and hand-made products exhibited could be used locally, and as well serve as sources of foreign exchange earnings thereby providing a source of income to people that are engaging in the business.
Dr Oyebanji, who noted that white collar job for everyone is gradually becoming unrealistic, said that was why she came up with a pet project known as “Adire Ekiti”, to give skill of adire making to our young women and unemployed graduates.
Adire Ekiti was equally featured in the exhibition at the ongoing cultural festival.
“When I see Adire Ekiti fabrics products being displayed, I feel on top of the world. Generally speaking, all the products displayed are awesome with quality. People have started to make demands for the products as it would be supplied, “she stated.
She used the medium to encourage both employed and unemployed to embrace hand-made businesses, which could serve as an extra stream of income for them.
“I have come to charge the participants to keep the flag flying and for Ekiti people to patronize them so that next year’s activities would be better than this,” the Ekiti First Lady added.
The convener, who doubles as the Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Prof. Rasaki Ojo Bakare, in his remarks, said the exhibition was to showcase the rich creativity in the state.