NEW TOTALPRENUERS EMERGE

NEW TOTALPRENUERS EMERGE

A TOTAL NUMBER OF 60 persons graduated on 28 November at OFFERCenter, Institute of Agriculture, Iwo, Osun State.

On the occasion which was attended by dignitaries of church and state as well as some royal fathers,  Rev. Fr. Macarius Olatunji, Rector, stated how helpful TOTAL Upstream Nig. Ltd, had been, in pursuance of her Corporal Social Responsibility. Since 2016, the company had been in collaboration with Oluponna Fish Farming and Resource Foundation in the training and empowerment of youths, between 18 and 35 years, in the areas of agriculture, catering and other crafts.

For the Rector, the ceremony was not just the graduation of another set of "TOTALprenuers," but the success of this project that is extremely important for the sustainable development of our people and our great nation because no advanced nation has developed to where they are without taking seriously the development of their citizens in education and entrepreneurship.

Fr Macarius likewise commended the support and encouragement by the Social Development Funds of the French Embassy that kicked started this institute with the Catholic Archdiocese of Ibadan, and NAPIMS that had been magnanimous in given approval to ESSO, Chevron and TOTAL to have partnered with OFFERCenter at one point or the other.

Dr. Mrs. Siyansola Omitoyin of the University of Ibadan who gave the graduation lecture urged the youths to go and prosper, positing that the entrepreneur must not wait for the government or anybody in order to make it in life or to  make money and for any challenges that comes your way believe in yourself that you have the ability to overcome it, always have a positive mind and thought about anything you lay your hands upon, believe and don't limit yourself, be creative and make yourself unique among others, be focus, pro-active, in everything you do, she encourages the grandaunt not to be in an hurry to make money and also to learn how to manage capital.  

Mr Vincent Nnadi Executive General Manager TOTAL, who represented Mr. Nicholas Terraz (MD/ chief executive TOTAL Upstream Companies in Nigeria, noted that TOTALpreneur is the flagship of their entrepreneurial capacity development initiatives, stating that TOTAL is committed to impacting and improving lives.

"As part of our Corporate Social Responsibility, we partner with Government and Non-Government Organizations, NGOs, as well as other relevant Agencies and Stakeholders, to alleviate poverty and improve the living standards of the people of Nigeria, this is why we are partnering with the Oluponna Fish Farming and Resource Foundation , as technical partners, in this campaign to train and equip young men and women, making entrepreneurs out of them, the entrepreneurial engagement in agriculture and vocational skills is a deliberate strategic move to develop the youth, fight poverty and eliminate crimes.

Samuel Adedeji of the second batch of Vocational Course (NVC) trainees under the Entrepreneurship Development Training Programme on behalf of the graduates, thanked their trainers and sponsors for taking the laudable step in youth development. He acknowledged that the initiative would reduce the rate of unemployment and eradicate poverty in the society.

The ceremony also featured the unveiling of magazine/year book, cutting of graduation cake as well as some artistic presentations by the students of Regina Mundi Girls Secondary school and Our Lady of Fatima Academy both located at Iwo.

- JACINTA OLUSOMOKA

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