..As Obosi Development Union graduates 300 trainees
By Uzo Ugwunze
Speaking to newsmen during the
event which held at the Obosi Town Hall, Idemili North LGA, Anambra State, the
President General Obosi Development Union, Ambassador Chimezie Obi described
the event as a graduation ceremony of the trainees of the OBISEP project of
Obosi called "One Household Two Skills" project that was initiated by
the ODU Skills Acquisition Empowerment and Palliative Committee.
"This is the graduation
ceremony of about three hundred out of seven hundred deployed to over fifty
Master trainers to learn about thirty one different skills. The essence was to
domesticate what Governor Soludo is doing in the state level down to the grassroot.
"We decided that any good
step at the state government level, we try to domesticate it. We saw the One
Youth Two Skills initiatives and decided to replicate it in Obosi and today we
are happy to let the world know that we are graduating about three hundred out
of seven hundred trainees of the programme".
"Whereas that of the State
Government was for Youths we decided to inculcate not only youths but also
adults who are interested to learn new skills that will enable them put food on
their tables.
"We have no major
sponsors. We told our people both at home and in diaspora that with #75,000 you
can change the life of someone via skills acquisition in the space of four to
six months and they got interested. Some paid for one person while some paid
for three or four persons.
"We do not have funds to
give out start up kits or capital. So, we are requesting for more financial
support from individuals, organizations, corporate bodies and the Anambra State
Government which the Commissioner for Youths promised that he would communicate
the Governor to see how the state can assist," said Obi.
Speaking in his welcome
address, Chairman, ODU Skills Acquisition Empowerment and Palliatives
Committee,Worldwide, Comrade Chisom T. Onugha said "what we are doing in Obosi
today is to bring down the legacy of Mr Solution Governor, 'One Youth 2
Skills" in as much as we call it "Obosi 1 Household 2 Skills"
programme. The reason is to ensure that the benefits and positive impacts of
this initiative are felt in various families in the households.
"The idea is to ensure
that those who do not have hope of economic sustenance will begin to have hope,
those who are less privileged, the indigent ones will know the community have
something for them. So we the entire ODU, the Igwe and Ndichie are doing
everything possible to support this programme.
Mr Onugha while commending
Govenror Soludo on the '1 Youth 2 Skills' initiatives urged other communities
to emulate the "1 Household 2 Skills" initiative as a grassroot model
for even and faster human and community development. He equally pleaded with
Governor Soludo to support these communities who wish to take up these projects
financially.
Moreover, the Anambra
Commissioner for Youths Development, Hon
Patrick Agha Mba, expressing his gratitude to ODU for targeting youth
enterprise development said "this
programme is coming at a special time when government of Anambra state is
driving towards serious partnership to empower the youths of the state.
"Youths make up about
sixty five percent of our population, it is a significant number and segment of
the society that must be provided with the right opportunities which will
ensure that they are kept busy and away from crime",he said.
The Commissioner however noted
that the state government cannot do it alone thus, the need for Public Private
Community Partnership (PPCP). I am happy that today Obosi Community has
responded in line with Mr Governor's call for individuals and cooperate
entities to assist in the development of the state as over 98 percent resources
are in the hands of the individuals.
"The government of Anambra
state are ready and eager to work with Obosi Community to ensure that this
programme is completed. Obosi Community is doing the right thing. I thank the
Igwe and Obosi Development Union for joining hands with the government to
building a better future for our youths, where they will become economically
productive and socially responsive", said Agha Mba.
Earlier, the Chairman of the
Occasion, Major Gen. Emeka Maduegbunam
(rtd) ably represented by Engr Chinedum Iweka said that the initiative was a
wonderful thing, as the project is beginning to take the youths out of crime
and engage them with vocational skills that will finally enhance their
wellbeing and also the society to benefit."It is encouraging to the Obosi
people the support from the state government and I want to use the opportunity
to encourage the indigent youths to take this training serious as the benefits
cannot be over emphasized".
According to the Vice PG, Hon.
Anthony Amaifeobu,Obosi people are happy with this initiative. If we continue
with this Obosi 1 Household 2 Skills, in the next three years there may not be
thieves, hoodlums and touts in Obosi community. We urge every unemployed or
jobless person in Obosi to join the program and we hope that there will be
token in the future that will be given to graduants to help them start their
own SMEs or vocation as soon we get more financial support".
A beneficiary who graduated
from the initiative under Poultry and Fish farming, Mrs Uche Okonkwo from
Mmakwum village Obosi said that she and her family will ever remain grateful to
ODU and the sponsors of the project saying that the knowledge she acquired from
her Master Trainer, Edwin Obi of Edy Farm has empowered her for life.
"Many of us are fulfilled in life and now no Obosi indigene will have any
excuse to become a nuisance because we all have opportunities now to better our
lives and society".
Some of the skills for training
include Industrial house wiring, cosmetology, catering and confectioneries,
fashion designing, veterinary, and poultry, fish farming, computer technology,
plumbing, beauty care, solar and CCTV installations among others.
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