Hope for Nigeria Foundation, in partnership with Team Nwa-Abia Movement has flagged of skill acquisition project aimed at training one hundred and fifty Abia youths which will be drawn from the 17 Local Government Areas of the state.
Speaking at the occasion which was held at Ukwuachara civic hall, Isingwu Autonomous community in Umuahia North Local Government Area, the National president, Hope for Nigeria, Mr Kerry Sholeye, said they were in Abia several months ago to set the pace for the commencement of the skill acquisition project, a national program aimed at training the youths in their various areas of endeavour, in order to make them independent and self sufficient.
He said in Abia state, one hundred and fifty youths are being targeted for the skills of their choice, while adding that the training is free, he noted that from one to two months all involved will begin to benefit from the training program.
Mr Sholeye noted that they have a well structured data base of all the beneficiaries. “When we talk of skills we are giving you for free, we are not just teaching you how to fish but making you to be independent.
“We want to bring China to Nigeria, where every child in China has one skill or the other. We were actually targeting 150 Abia youths, but the President General of Ohuhu Welfare association, has pleaded we increase the number of beneficiaries to five hundred, we are assuring him that we will look into his request and get back”. Sholeye stated.
He said they have launched the skill, as well as, the farm aspect which will lead to the production of rice and other agricultural produce, adding that what ever is produced will be utilized by the same community in order to boost the economic of such communities.
Sholeye, however, urged the state and federal government to key into the program which is capable of empowering the youths and reducing the level of unemployment and poverty.
He appreciated the Abia state coordinator, Nene Chukwuma for doing a good job adding that the aim of the Foundation is to ensure that more youths are self employed.
Contributing, the Founder, Team Nwabia movement, Chief Chris Akachukwu said when he was approached about the project he saw the importance and viability of helping the youths get to their feet in the era of unemployment.
Akachukwu, who was a candidate of the State House of Assembly in the last general elections, stressed on the importance of acquiring skills,adding that he acquired up to 13 different skills.
“When I was told about the program I keyed into it and promised to give my support, now that the skill acquisition has been flagged off, I promise we are going to do more”. Akachukwu disclosed.
Speaking the representative of Abia first lady, Mrs Ifeoma Thomas said the event was historic for the beneficiaries from the 17 LGAs of the state, adding that Mrs Otti is happy to identify with such a laudable program capable of making the youths independent.
Mrs. Ifeoma Thomas, who is the Special Adviser to the Governor on Vulnerable Groups said, Mrs Otti recently with Society for Family Health, trained and empowered over 300 youths and equipped them with start up packs. She said this is the kind of program the first lady has pleaded with those in position to do for the teeming youths while she thanked the Foundation for the gesture they extended to Abia youths.
Speaking also the President General of Ohuhu Welfare Association, Elder Dr Okechukwu Uwazie, thanked the Foundation noting that they have come to reduce the number of unemployed youths in the state.
He appealed to the Foundation to increase Abia slot from 150 to 500, adding that Abia is number one state in the federation. He disclosed that the Ohuhu people believed so much in education and empowerment, reiterating that they registered 200 of their students for WAEC for free in the last examination.
In her address, the Abia state coordinator of Hope of Nigeria Foundation, Amb. Mrs Nene Chukwuma, said Abia chapter was inaugurated seven months ago explaining that the Foundation has the plan to empower youths from the 17 LGAs through skill acquisition.
She said the Foundation will be training the youths in fabrics. Shoe making and designs, catering, barbing, hair dressing among others.
Mrs Chukwuma reiterated that the training is for both young boys and girls, adding that they have coordinators from the 17 LGAs that will ensure smooth take off, of the program at the local level. She noted that they have gotten their farm and have started producing rice and other farm produce.
She used the occasion to appeal for more land for cultivation and a vehicle to ease there movement.
The highlight of the occasion was the hand over of key of a brand new modern Peugeot car to the state coordinator, Nene Chukwuma by the National president, Mr Kerry Osholeye, distribution of bags of rice already produced ,skill exhibition,
introduction of Alhaji Abdul Danjuma, who is state coordinator, Kano state and zonal coordinator North West and ICT for Nigeria, National, who will be training on fabrics and presentation of the coordinators of the 17 LGAs.
