In a collaborative effort between the Society for Family Health (SFH) and the National Directorate of Employment (NDE), with backing from the office of the wife of the Abia state governor, a total of 233 graduates from diverse skill acquisition programs in catering, fashion designing, hair styling, makeup, and baking have been trained and empowered.
At the Abia State Government House in Umuahia, the state capital, Mrs. Priscilla Otti, the wife of the Governor, handed over startup packs to the graduates. She commended the resilience of SFH and NDE in guiding the participants to expertise in their chosen fields of skill acquisition.
Expressing her deep commitment to the project, Mrs. Otti emphasized its significance in job creation and human capacity development. She noted that this initiative aligns with Governor Otti’s dedication to improving education quality, job creation, and fostering a conducive business environment in the state.
Having witnessed the graduation ceremony in December 2023, Mrs. Otti expressed her delight in formally presenting tools and equipment to these dedicated young girls. She emphasized the transformative power of education and skills in reducing vulnerability, unemployment, and crime rates, ultimately contributing to lasting peace in the state.
Addressing the young entrepreneurs, Mrs. Otti advised them not to sell their equipment but to utilize them to create wealth for themselves and their families.
Dr. Anthony Nwala, the program manager of the Society for Family Health, highlighted SFH’s focus on identifying vulnerable individuals, providing training, and empowering them through skills acquisition to start their businesses. He thanked Governor Alex Otti for supporting their efforts and creating an enabling environment for their operations.
Mrs. Tessy Nwachuku, the state director of NDE, praised the Abia state government for its consistent support throughout the training program. She described NDE’s role as training unemployed individuals interested in learning a skill, and through collaboration with SFH and the Abia state government, they successfully trained and equipped 233 individuals to start their businesses.
Mrs. Ngozi Felix, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation in Abia state, highlighted Governor Otti’s cardinal policies to reduce poverty and unemployment through skills acquisition. Mrs. Ifeoma Thomas, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Vulnerable Groups, emphasized that by training the vulnerable in skills acquisition, the state is breaking barriers in unemployment, paving the way for a better future for indigent Abians.
