By KP Reporter
The Irewolede Community Development Association (CDA), under Igbogbo Baiyeku Local Council Development Area (LCDA), has graduated the first set of participants from its maiden skill acquisition programme, Irewolede Skill Acquisition Programme (I-SAP).
The one-month training, which began on August 4 and ended with a graduation ceremony on Saturday, August 30, 2025, featured courses in hairdressing, barbing, headgear tying, photography, soap making and tie-and-dye. Participants, ranging from ages 10 to 70, cut across children, youths, parents and grandparents.
The graduation coincided with the second anniversary of the CDA executives’ first tenure and was attended by dignitaries and community leaders, including HRH Chief Olusola Olugbode, Baale of Selewu; Alhaji Rasaki Ibiyeye, CDC Chairman; and Alhaji Adewale Gbadamosi, CDC Treasurer, among others.
In his remarks, CDA Chairman, Mr. Abayomi Adeniji, thanked residents, facilitators and students for their commitment, describing the graduands as pioneers of the programme. He also listed some of the CDA’s achievements in the past two years, including leadership training, medical outreaches, discounted produce markets, a community library, road rehabilitation, security infrastructure, solar-powered streetlights and CCTV installations.
Chief Olugbode, in a goodwill message, commended the CDA for self-funding the initiative, which he described as the first of its kind in Ikorodu and neighbouring communities. CDC executives, Ibiyeye and Gbadamosi, also praised the effort and called on other CDAs to replicate the model to drive development at the grassroots.
The ceremony featured an exhibition of products made by trainees, drama, spoken word and choreography, while certificates were presented to participants and facilitators. Registrar of the programme, Mrs. Josiah, advised the graduates to put their skills to productive use and embrace entrepreneurship.
Highlights of the event included a red-carpet reception, cake cutting, community appreciation and presentations.
According to the CDA, the initiative is aimed at empowering residents and promoting self-sufficiency in the community.