Barely two years since the commencement of the construction of Industrial Platform Remo Free Zone (IPRFZ) in Sagamu, Ogun State, it would appear that some of IPRFZ’s key objectives, including job creation, skill acquisition, youth empowerment, and community development, are already taking shape. 

In this brief conversation with Morenike Ajibade, a young female indigene from Abeokuta, Ogun  State, we see the beginnings of the positive social impact of IPRFZ on the local community and state as a whole. 

Q: Can we meet you, what’s your name? 

A: My name is Morenike Ajibade. 

Q: Where are you from, tell us your background? 

A: I’m from Ogun State, Abeokuta. 

Q: What is your job role at Industrial Platform Remo Free Zone (IPRFZ)? A: I am a security personnel at IPRFZ. I resumed in October last year, and I was deployed by the security organization I directly work with. 

Q: Describe life before joining IPRFZ. 

A: Life was okay before I joined, but it was tough getting employment, so I was happy when I got the opportunity to join IPRFZ. 

Q: Can you tell us the skills you have gained since your resumption? 

A: Apart from my security job, I’ve been able to learn and acquire other skills through assisting in the engineering work if need be, safety training on the use of fire alarms & fire extinguishers,  and first aid treatment. 

Q: Do you see your career progressing at IPRFZ? 

A: In the coming years, I hope to reach the level of Security and Safety Manager, as well as have my own business. 

Q: What’s your vision for the future—how has working at IPRFZ shaped your career aspirations? 

A: Working at IPRFZ has helped shape my career aspirations in terms of being able to learn and familiarise myself with the techniques to deal with different people in society, like suspects of breaches in security and theft issues. Also, I’m now well-grounded in attending to urgent first aid and safety matters. I hope to attain a higher position in this field in the future. 

Q: How has this job changed your family’s life?

A: Things are very expensive now, but this job has been helping me to earn enough to sponsor my children’s school fees and has been helping my family.  

Q: How do you see the effect of IPRFZ on the local community? 

A: The effect has been good. We thank IPRFZ for opening our eyes to this area. A lot of people didn’t even know this location because it’s a village, but because of IPRFZ’s presence here,  people and traders have been getting to know more about this place. 

IPRFZ has also contributed to employment opportunities within the zone, most especially for youths like me. We hope for 10,000 and more job opportunities to come.