In an effort to foster economic growth and to reduce the rate of unemployment among women and the youths in the State , the wife of Abia State Governor Mrs Nkechi Ikpeazu, has empowered about 50 graduands of the Vicar Hope Foundation’s Springboard Skills Acquisition from Ukwa East Local Government Area of the State ranging from fashion designing, interior decorating, hair dressing , photography and more.
At the ceremony, the Governor’s wife reiterated her belief that the programme will reduce unemployment rate in the State and value to peoples live especially the beneficiaries and those depending on them.
She also charged the beneficiaries to be serious to grow their business and warned that gone are the days when skills acquisition are hurriedly done, the students graduated only to end up selling the equipment given to them and return to square one.
According to her, “we will monitor your progress to see that you really apply what you have learnt and grow your business”.
Earlier, the State Director of the National Directorate of Employment, Lady Buchi Ojei who supervised the training stated that so far through the help of the Governor’s wife we have trained about 450 persons from various local government of the state.
“The most important thing here is that the people trained and empowered have been removed from the unemployment market”
However, Chairman on the occasion, Engineer Solomon Ogunji, said that he is very happy of what the wife of the Governor is doing through her Vicar Hope Foundation.
“At least the people empowered today, if they are serious about their businesses will add to the economy of the State and at the same time provide employment to other people”.
Meanwhile, the wife of Ukwa East LGA, Mrs. Louis Obianu said that without the support of the wife of the Governor this administration would not have recorded the level of success it had achieved in the area of women and youths empowerment.
In a related development, the wife of the Governor also empowered another 50 graduands in various skills acquisition in Ikwuano Local Government Area with support from the Abia State Oil Producing Area Development Commission and technical assistance from the National Directorate of Employment.
According to the wife of the Governor, “this programme is taking place today courtesy of several stakeholders from Ikwuano who are partnering with us to alleviate the sufferings in the society.
