Business
25 Conclude Skills Acquisition Training
Two NGOs, AfriGrowth
and TY Danjuma Foundations, have empowered 25 youths with entrepreneurship skills through training.
The training and internship programme were in the areas of agro-allied business, information communication technology, baking/pastry, events management and fashion/beauty care.
Speaking at the “AfriGrowth Develop for Development Initiative (DDI)’’ Batch 3 Graduation Ceremony in Abuja, Mrs Dayo Keshi, the President, AfriGrowth Foundation, urged the mentees to deliver on expectations.
Keshi said the programme was in response to the need to stop paying lip service to the problems confronting the youth and do something practical to empower them.
She urged the mentees to move on and use the experience they acquired for their own growth and that of the society.
“AfriGrowth was founded on the belief that one of the greatest challenges we face in the world is poverty.
“We focus on eliminating poverty by initiating and supporting empowerment programmes which develop techniques for self sufficiency.’’
Keshi said that the training, which lasted for two months, would be conducted in batches of 25, as a total of 75 youths were expected to benefit from it.
According to her, the beneficiaries are not given financial grants, but can source loans through the help of Afrigrowth partners such as the Abuja Enterprises Agency.
Mrs Lady Amedormey, who represented TY Danjuma Foundation, advised the beneficiaries “to bring something new into whatever products or services they wanted to render’’.
“That is the only way they can stand out in the competitive market,’’ she said, adding that the purpose of the training was to develop young people to become employers of labour.
Mr Enejo Innocent, an entrepreneur and the special guest, told the youth that they must have visions and dreams to become entrepreneurs.
He urged them to be passionate, desperate and committed to their cause “even when the expected financial gains are not forthcoming’’.
“What makes you is that gap between your dream and achievement.’’
Mr Charles Eguuba, a beneficiary, said the training was impactful, adding that they looked forward to becoming entrepreneurs and contributing to society.
Eguuba said it was the beginning of a new phase in their lives and the quest to create a new Nigeria.
His colleague, Miss Careen Okoli, commended the foundations for the opportunity, adding that it had equipped them adequately.