NO fewer than 400 women and youths have benefited from Mrs Dolapo Osinbajo skill acquisition programme in Kogi State.
The beneficiaries of the STEP UP skill acquisition training programme, an intiative of Her Excellency Mrs Dolapo Osinbajo wife of the vice president, were advised to take full advantage of the skills acquired during the training to chart a new course for themselves and add value to the society.
The Deputy Governor of kogi state, Chief Edward Onoja gave the advice at Glass house, Government house, lokoja during the STEP UP closing/graduation ceremony .
According to him, the skills garnered during the training programme if properly utilized would go a long way in making them self-reliant and employers of labour, noting that they are expected to train others in order to reduce unemployment in the state.
In the same vein, the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Mrs. Folashade Ayoade Arike said that the importance of Entrepreneurial skills development cannot be over emphasized because vocational and technical trainings prepares one for the world of work with which the individuals become self reliant and can make contributions to the development of the society.
In her speech, the representative of Wife of the Vice President, Miss Joanna Boma Osigwe called on the beneficiaries of the skill acquisition programme to make use of the skills acquired to improve their living condition and contribute their quota to the development of the society.
The skill acquisition programme she said was targeted at the school dropouts to make them self- reliant and reduce unemployment in the country, adding that the programme was to compliment the APC social intervention scheme to reduce poverty and unemployment amongst women and youths in the society.
She stated that gainful employment was not limited to wage paying jobs alone, as skills acquired could also guarantee regular income, stressing that being empowered with a good skill was capable of transforming their lives.
With the support of Her Excellency Mrs Rashida Bello ,No fewer than 400 Kogi women and youths benefitted from the skill acquisition training programme and where trained in basic sewing and soft furnituring for two weeks.
Highlight of the occasion was the exhibition of the clothing materials made by the trainees .
Other dignitaries at the accassion are, Deputy chief of staff.Hon. Sunday Faleke JP, Commissioner for Information Hon. Femi Fanwo,Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Fatima Buba, Commissioner for Education, Science and technology, Hon. Wemi Jones, Commissioner for Environment, Hon. Adewale Omofaiye, Head of Service, Elder(Mrs.) Deborah Ogunmola, Administrator’s Wives and other appointees.
