By Francis Dugbe
The Egbema and Gbaramatu Communities Development Foundation (EGCDF), has empowered 108 youths with starter packs worth N69 million under its skills acquisition program.
In his speech during the graduation/send forth ceremony of the skills acquisition program, Ambassador Jude Ebitimi Ukori, said the program started February 2019 to January 2020.
He stressed that the main drive of the program was to build the capacity of community youths in skills that will enable them to be self-sufficient, create wealth and sustainable livelihood for themselves.
According to him, a total of 108 candidates were selected to benefit from the program, and the beneficiaries were trained in ten skill sets, which include, carpentry, aluminum, windows and doors fabrication, fashion and design, photography & video coverage, electrical, GSM engineering, make-up artiste, paint making, soap making, and agripreneurship.
“Within the period, EGCDF spent N69,264,480.00 being the cost of training, monthly stipends and the procurement of individual business start-up packs for seven skill sets.
“It is also expected that a further sum of over N25 million would be required to set-up the remaining three skills sets: paint making, soap making and agripreneur in their respective fields of business within the shortest possible time that will bring the total cost to N94,264,480.00”.
He expressed confidence that the training and skills acquired by the beneficiaries will no doubt project them into economic opportunities and make them more competitive in the business environment.
While commending Chevron Nigeria Limited as the sole sponsor of EGCDF, Ukori advised the beneficiaries not to sell off their empowerment packages for a peck of cash as they are meant for them to earn a living.
