In an effort to reduce unemployment among the youths in Ebonyi State Southeast Nigeria, the senator representing Ebonyi central senatorial zone at the National Assembly, Senator Obinna Ogba, has empowered over one hundred of his constituents with vocational courses.
The exercise which took place in Abakaliki, the state capital was sponsored by the senator in collaboration with an institute, Projects Development Institute (PRODA).
Speaking during the flag off ceremony, Senator Ogba said the training became imperative in order to reduce youth joblessness restiveness which culminates to increase in insecurity.
The senator who was represented at the event by his Special Assistant on Media, Mr Godfrey Chikwere noted that the participants would be properly equipped to enable them remain useful after the training.
“The essence of the programme as the name sounds, skill acquisition is just to empower people. It is going to be a semi skills empowerment, ranging from fashion designing and tailoring”
“We will also train the people on the production of these items detergent, bleach, liquid soap, air freshener, bead making among others to make them remain relevant in the labour market”
“Those that fall under fashion designing will get industrial machines and the regular sewing machines too, those that are trained in household items will be empowered with chemicals, cash and every other required equipment”
“The programme is wholly targeted to reduce joblessness in the society and it cut across all the component council areas of Ebonyi Central zone.” He said.
He said the beneficiaries will also be granted financial assistance after the training to enable them start up the business.
“The organizers of this programme are very careful and that was why they selected women mainly and indigent persons especially the youths for fashion designing,” he explained.
In their separate reactions, some of the beneficiaries appreciated the National Assembly member for the regular empowerment programme.
Bilkisu Pai
