Unemployment: NGO empowers 50 people with life  skill

NO fewer than 50 persons have benefited from the training in textile and fashion designing, carried out by a social enterprise and a service provider, Genius Hub.

The training programme, which lasted for three months, was funded by Giz-SKYE, Nigerian – Centre for jobs, Migration and re-integration and Skills Development for Youth Employment.

Speaking at the graduation and presentation of start-up tools held in Benin City, Edo State Friday last week, the state Coordinator, Migration for Development Programme (PME) GIZ, Mrs Isimeme Whyte, said that textile and fashion designing is one of the numerous programmes sponsored and funded by GIZ to empower the youth so that they can economically take care of themselves and be self-reliant.

In her words, “We appreciate the Edo State governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki for creating an enabling environment for us to strive in the state. We don’t only train for free, at the end of every training we provide grandaunds’ with start-up tools and also support them to register their business names. We emphasise on skill acquisition because in the country we find ourselves today, formal education is not enough. We need added skills to back up for whatever we do to make ends meet”

She encouraged the graduating students to put to work whatever knowledge they acquired so as to impact positively on the society.

In a keynote address, Mrs. Florence Owie of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, noted that government was no longer able to provide jobs for everyone, hence skill acquisition is paramount for economic growth.

Also speaking at the event, Joan Ojiewa from National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), who represented the Zonal Coordinator,  Mrs Chidiebere Ifudu, revealed that human trafficking is eating deep into Nigeria.

She said, “If we keep training and helping youths acquire skills, human trafficking will be a thing of the past. We support Giz in training youths to turn their talents into resources. I tell you, great personalities who are doing well for themselves have passed through this training. A total of 6,000 people have benefited from the training since 2015”.

One of the graduating students, Kevin Okundia appreciated the organisers of the programme for giving them the opportunity to be empowered.

”When we started, I didn’t believe I could do anything meaningful. I was so afraid but from the motivation I got from the staff of Genius Hub,  I was able to stay throughout the programme. It will interest you to know that apart from teaching you on the areas of acquiring skills, the organisation also goes the extra mile to help you build your self esteem. Today, I am a different person from who I used to be. I have got skills to put money in my pocket. I am bold and can speak in public no matter who is standing. Kudos to Giz-Genius Hub,” he said.

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