…By Larry John for TDPel Media.
Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi’s administration in Enugu State has sponsored 793 residents for a free six-week training on skill acquisition programmes.
The training, which was aimed at empowering youths and women in various skills, including solar energy installations, soap making, tailoring, cosmetology, bakery and video editing, among others, was coordinated by the Commissioner for Special Duties and Focal Person, State Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Hon. Mrs. Mabel Agbo.
The programme is a joint partnership venture between the federal government and Enugu State government.
The Enugu State government had solely sponsored the training due to the inability of the federal government to pay its counterpart funds.
At the graduation ceremony, Agbo presented dummy cheques of N165,000 to some of the beneficiaries symbolically and stated that the trainees would receive their money through banks.
She expressed optimism that the training would go a long way to improve the fortunes of the beneficiaries economically and otherwise.
Agbo urged the beneficiaries to utilise the inherent gains to actualise their goals and the set objectives of the state government towards empowering the youths and women of the state.
At the event, representatives of the SDGs, Abuja, and officials from the state government commended Governor Ugwuanyi for his steadfastness towards the welfare of the youths, women and vulnerable groups in the state.
They enjoined the beneficiaries to work hard in justifying the governor’s sacrifice to avail them of the training opportunity and the startup grants.
The beneficiaries thanked Governor Ugwuanyi for his magnanimity in assisting them to be self-reliant.
Mrs. Maureen Okonkwo said that Governor Ugwuanyi has transformed her from being a job seeker to an employer of labour.
Another beneficiary, Mrs. Evangeline Agbo, stressed the governor’s interest in the welfare of vulnerable groups, saying, “Our governor has come to our rescue, he has given us hope and I pledge to uphold his noble gesture by becoming self-reliant.
Today I am a maker of chin-chin.”
Analysis and Commentaries
The Enugu State government’s skill acquisition programme for youths and women is a laudable initiative, aimed at reducing poverty and unemployment in the state.
The programme offers beneficiaries an opportunity to learn valuable skills that can enable them to become self-reliant and create job opportunities for themselves and others.
The Enugu State government’s decision to solely sponsor the training of beneficiaries is a testament to Governor Ugwuanyi’s commitment to the welfare of the people, despite the nation’s economic challenges.
This initiative, if sustained, can help in bridging the skills gap among the youths and women, reducing poverty, and creating wealth in the state.
Governor Ugwuanyi’s efforts towards the empowerment of vulnerable groups in Enugu State are commendable.
His administration’s focus on providing opportunities for the less privileged and vulnerable groups shows his commitment to inclusive governance.
With this initiative, beneficiaries can leverage the acquired skills and startup grants to create job opportunities for themselves and others.