The Chairperson of the Nigerian Army Officers Wives Association (NAOWA), 6 Division Chapter, Mrs Maryam Almustapha Abdussalam, has harped on skill acquisition as a panacea to unemployment in the country.
This was just as she emphasised the importance of acquiring skills by the teeming able-bodied youths, irrespective of educational background, as a way of promoting self-sustenance and reducing the huge unemployment deficits in the country.
Mrs Abdussalam made this assertion in a goodwill message delivered on Wednesday during the commissioning ceremony of a modern skill acquisition centre solely built by High Chief Peter Onajite Esievo, Managing Director, Evomec Global Services Limited and named after the wife of late Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Mrs Mariya Abiodun Lagbaja, at 3Battalion Barracks, Effurun, Uvwie Council area of Delta state,
She commended the leadership of the Nigerian Army formations (both 63Brigade and 3Battalion) for conceptualising such a noble idea of having a skill acquisition centre for the children of soldiers at the barracks and applauded High Chief Esievo, for taking it upon himself to embark on the project and seeing to its completion in due time for the benefits of the barrack residents.
She however called for the adequate maintenance of the Centre, noting that the joy of such a project lies in its maintenance, as it could be made redundant in the next one year if not properly maintained to enhance its purpose and effectiveness.
According to her; “We are all aware that one of the issues we have in this country today is lack of maintenance culture. And so, I want to sincerely appeal that this project receives the adequate maintenance it deserves so it can continue to serve its purpose. If we failed to maintain it, we might come here in the next one year and find out it has become redundant”.
In her opening remark, the Zonal Coordinator NAOWA 63Brigade and Chief host of the event, Mrs Onyinye Unachukwu, highlighted the importance of the project to the upbringing of the youths resident in the barracks, noting that it would a long and long in providing an environment where they can batter themselves through the acquisition of skills for their self-sustenance.
She listed the various skills available at the centre including: Catering Section, Tailoring/Fashion Design Section, Adult Education Section, Information and Communication Technology/Computer Section and Bead-making Section.
Others are; Barbing and Hair Salon, Soap Making/Cosmetics Section, Make-Up Section and Woodwork/Metal Work Section, in addition to the Cradle Area to cater for the children of staff and participants.
She was also full of praise for Chief Peter Onajite Esievo, Managing Director, Evomec Global Services Limited, over the various projects he had undertaken in the barracks for the benefit of the residents, noting that he has consistently demonstrated his large heart to the upliftment of the standards of living of officers and men at the barracks
In her words; “High Chief Peter Onajite Esievo, the Ugherughe1 of Agboh Kingdom, has further demonstrated his friendship with the Brigade through purposeful contribution to the welfare and development of personnel”.
“Because of him, our women and youth, some of whose husbands and fathers are in the frontline in the North East or other operations, will be having the opportunity to acquire essential empowerment skills in a very conducive facility”.
“I therefore encourage the Barracks community to make the most of this great opportunity. To our High Chief, Sir, we wish to say a big thank you for this legacy project and for your constant support for our families”.
“Our prayer is for the Almighty to bless you more abundantly. You have truly become part of the Brigade’s history and have written your name in gold”.
In his speech, Chief Peter Onajite Esievo noted that the decision to embark on the project was reached after due consultation with the High Command of 63Brigade and 3Battalion, who were convinced that building a skill acquisition centre would impact positively the lives of the barracks community.
High Chief Esievo, who was represented at the event by Chief Eric Eseoghene, reaffirmed his commitment to partnership with the military in the area of improving the well-being of the barracks community, noting that he would continue to contribute his own little quota to the development of barracks, especially in Warri and its environs.
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