– A 33-year-old man, Babatunde Oladapo, has narrated how he bagged masters degree certificate

– Oladapo said he was able to achieve his dream through weaving of aso-oke

– The talented Yoruba traditional weaver, however, urged the government at all levels to come to his aide for mass production of the local fabrics.

The saying that education is the weapon of liberation from ignorance, poverty and disease seems to have been a watch word of a 33-year-old Babatunde Hammed Oladapo as he bagged masters degree certificate against all odds.

Legit.ng’s regional reporter in Oyo, Imran Khalid, reports that Oladapo, who hails from Atake area of Iseyin in Iseyin local government area of Oyo state got his master degree through proceeds he realised from weaving of Yoruba traditional clothes fondly called ‘aso-oke.’

Oladapo attended Tai Solarin University of education, Ijebu-ode, Ogun state for his masters degree, Ekiti state university, Ekiti state for attainment of degree qualification and defunct Oyo state college of education now Emmanuel Alayande college of education, Oyo in Oyo state, where he studied business education.

Original Speaking with Oladapo at his working place beside Oja-Oba in Iseyin, Legit.ng reports that he said his dream of acquiring sound education up to masters level was feasible as a result of determination and concerted efforts he committed to the weaving of aso-oke. Asked about what led him to weaving profession, Oladapo said cloth weaving was an hereditary occupation which he inherited from his father, adding that he has been doing the job since childhood and that he had the perfect mastery of weaving while he was 15-year-old.

He said there were different kinds of weaving clothes which include: Etu, Sanyan, Alaari, Crantex and Cone respectively, adding that the most highly demanding ones are Cone and crantex. On challenges on the job, Oladapo lamented that weaving shed was a great challenge to them as they have no where to hide when it becomes raining, adding that other challenges were ranged from man power and electrical energy (generator, solar and electricity) respectively.

He said the weaving has produced employment opportunities to teeming graduates who refused to join colleagues on the streets searching for non-existing white collar jobs. Oladapo, however, urged the governments at all levels to encourage and empower them through disbursement of loans to enhance mass production of the fabrics.

He said he was grateful to God that the job assisted him to become whom he is today, saying that he has no regret venturing into the business. On job’s sustenance, he said the youths were showing interest in the business and they are doing it in modern and dynamic ways.

Source:Legit

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