Hon. Adebayo Ayodele Gabriel
Founder, St. Gabriel Skill Acquisition and Empowerment Foundation
Hon. Adebayo Ayodele Gabriel, popularly known as Mr. Pace, is a distinguished leader and humanitarian whose commitment to empowering the less privileged has transformed countless lives in Ondo State and beyond. As the Vice Chairman of Akure South Local Government, his dedication to public service and community development is exemplified through his establishment and leadership of the St. Gabriel Skill Acquisition and Empowerment Foundation, based in Akure, Ondo State.
With a career spanning public service and community leadership, Mr. Pace has leveraged his influence to address unemployment and poverty, particularly among youths and widows. His passion for skill acquisition and empowerment stems from a deep belief in equipping individuals with practical tools to achieve self-reliance and contribute meaningfully to society.
St. Gabriel Skill Acquisition and Empowerment Foundation
Founded by Hon. Adebayo Ayodele Gabriel, the St. Gabriel Skill Acquisition and Empowerment Foundation, established in 2012 and registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission, is a beacon of hope for unemployed youths, widows, and vulnerable communities in Ondo State. Located at No. 32 Ijomu Street, Akure, the foundation is dedicated to fostering economic empowerment, capacity building, and social inclusion through comprehensive vocational training programs.
The foundation offers training in a diverse range of vocational skills, including tailoring, cake making, soap making, weaving, decorations, welding, carpentry, barbing, hairdressing, and Information and Communication Technology (ICT). These programs, often spanning two to three years, are designed to equip participants with practical, market-relevant skills to start their own businesses or secure employment, thereby reducing unemployment and promoting economic independence.
In April 2025, the foundation, in collaboration with the Tomiwa Aregbesola Foundation, empowered 60 trainees in Akure with working tools to kickstart their vocations, including sewing machines, hairdressing equipment, laptops, clippers, and embroidery machines. Additionally, the foundation supported 50 widows with textile materials and cash gifts, and donated an industrial sewing machine to enhance its training capacity. These efforts reflect the foundation’s commitment to uplifting the most vulnerable and fostering sustainable livelihoods.
The impact of St. Gabriel Skill Acquisition and Empowerment Foundation has been widely recognized. On March 13, 2025, Hon. Adebayo, through his foundation’s impactful work, was honored with the Niger Delta Legendary Impact Award by Bravins Magazine International during the unveiling of its 24th Edition & Special Green Magazine. The award celebrated his transformative contributions to empowering communities, with the magazine’s editor, Pedro Omo Aghahowa, noting that the foundation’s activities have significantly improved the lives of many in Ondo State.
Speaking at the award ceremony, Mr. Pace reaffirmed his commitment to humanitarian service, stating, “Our skill acquisition and empowerment foundation has transformed many lives and helped many to start a new life. A lot of people have learned tailoring, cake making, soap making, weaving, decorations, welding, carpentry through our foundation. We shall continue to do more as part of my social responsibility to the needy in our society.” This dedication has been echoed by community leaders, including the Deji and Paramount Ruler of Akure Kingdom, Oba Ogunlade Aladelusi, who commended the foundation’s efforts and urged beneficiaries to utilize their skills to better their lives and give back to society.
The foundation’s work aligns with broader initiatives in Ondo State, such as the state government’s youth empowerment programs and the Ondo State Agri-business Empowerment Centre (OSAEC), which focus on reducing unemployment through skill acquisition and entrepreneurship. By providing a platform for skill development and economic inclusion, St. Gabriel Skill Acquisition and Empowerment Foundation continues to drive positive change, inspiring a new generation of self-reliant individuals and contributing to the socio-economic development of Ondo State.
Hon. Adebayo’s vision for the foundation is rooted in his belief that empowering individuals with skills is a catalyst for community development. His leadership ensures that the foundation remains a vital resource for those seeking to overcome poverty and achieve economic independence, making a lasting impact on the lives of many in Akure and beyond.