Obosi Community Celebrates Trainee Graduation, Empowerment in Anambra

The Obosi Town Hall in Idemili North Local Government Area, Anambra State, recently hosted the graduation ceremony for the first batch of 300 trainees from the Obosi 1 Household 2 Skills Project. This initiative, which is the pilot phase of the Obosi Innovative Skills and Empowerment Programme (OBISEP), showcased remarkable achievements in community engagement, human capital development, and empowerment.

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Anambra State Commissioner for Youth Development, Mr. Patrick Agha-Mba, praised the OBISEP initiative and pledged to integrate its Master Trainers into the state’s 1 Youth 2 Skills Programme. His commitment followed a tour of the exhibition stands displaying products and services created by the trainers and graduates, where he expressed admiration for their hard work, innovation, and dedication.

“The OBISEP Pilot Phase project initiative is a great model for other communities,” Agha-Mba said. “Obosi is doing the right thing at the right time, and I assure you that this programme will continue to receive government support.”

In April 2024, the Obosi Development Union (ODU) Skills Acquisition, Empowerment, and Palliatives (SAEP) Committee launched the Obosi Innovative Skills and Empowerment Programme (OBISEP) as a grassroots initiative to tackle local unemployment, limited livelihood options, and rising social vices. The programme offers training in 31 diverse skills, including fashion design, catering, cosmetology, ICT, block work, solar energy installation, agricultural value chains, electrical work, plumbing, and more.

ODU President General, Barr. Chimezie Obi, described the programme as a localized adaptation of Governor Soludo’s broader 1 Youth 2 Skills initiative, designed to ensure its benefits directly reach households.

“Our goal is to provide hope for those less privileged in our community,” Obi remarked. “With over 65% of Anambra’s population being youths, it’s essential that we create opportunities to keep them engaged and away from crime.”

Igwe Chidubem Iweka (Eze Iweka III), the Traditional Ruler of Obosi, represented by Chief Chuma Magom (Ojuma Obosi), highlighted the importance of taking training seriously, noting that it equips individuals with the skills needed for self-sufficiency. “I fully support OBISEP,” he affirmed, urging participants to embrace this opportunity for self-improvement.

The event convener and Chairman of the ODU Skills Acquisition, Empowerment, and Palliatives (SAEP) Committee Worldwide, Nze Chisom Onugha, emphasized the critical role of community involvement in sustaining initiatives like OBISEP.

“We encourage individuals and corporate entities to support this programme to ensure its longevity and effectiveness,” he urged.

“What we are doing in Obosi today is to domesticate the legacy of Mr Solution Governor, “1 Youth 2 Skills ” project in as much as we call ours “Obosi 1 Household 2 Skills” project. The reason is to ensure that the benefits and positive impacts of this initiative are felt in various families living in the Households.

According to the convener, Nze Chisom Onugha, “The goal is to give hope to those without economic opportunities and ensure that the less privileged and indigent members of our community feel supported. This initiative is a collective effort by the Obosi Development Union, ably led by Barr. Amb. Chimezie Obi, the Eze Obosi Igwe Iweka III, and other well-meaning individuals from Obosi at home and abroad. The OBISEP initiative serves as a testament to Obosi’s dedication to empowering youths and the underprivileged, setting a powerful example for other communities in Anambra to emulate.”

While commending Governor Soludo for the ‘1 Youth 2 Skills’ initiative, Nze Onugha encouraged other communities to adopt the “Obosi 1 Household 2 Skills” model as a grassroots approach to accelerating human capital and community development. He also appealed to Governor Soludo for funding and logistical support to enable other communities to implement similar programmes.

Onugha further announced plans to strengthen their partnership with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN). Following the graduation ceremony, OBISEP graduates will undergo entrepreneurship training facilitated by SMEDAN’s state office. Upon completion, their enterprises will be formalized through registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), and individual benefit accounts will be created to monitor and support their growth. Additional strategies will be introduced to ensure business viability, expansion, and networking.

Earlier, the event chairman, Major General Emeka Maduegbunam (Rtd.), represented by Engr. Chinedum Iweka, praised the initiative for steering youths away from crime and equipping them with vocational skills to improve their livelihoods. “This is a commendable effort, and we hope the necessary support from local, state, and federal governments will arrive promptly. I urge the youths to take this training seriously, as its benefits are immeasurable,” he remarked.

The ceremony also featured generous donations and pledges from notable attendees, demonstrating the community’s collective commitment to sustaining the programme and fostering economic growth.

As the event concluded, the enthusiasm among the graduates was palpable, with many eager to apply their newly acquired skills to improve their livelihoods and make meaningful contributions to society.

Oluchi Okwuego