Women, Youths Begin Skills Acquisition Programme In Anambra

No fewer than 100
women and youths in Anambra State have commenced a two-week skills acquisition programme under the sponsorship of a non- governmental organisation, Development Support Initiative (DSI).
The participants, who were drawn from the 21 local government areas and the churches, would be empowered financially on graduation to start the trade they learnt.
The Executive Director of DSI, Mrs Jacqueline Odiadi, told newsmen in Awka on Tuesday that the programme was geared toward equipping the women and youths with life skills.
Odiadi explained that the participants would be trained on soap making; bakery, bead making, shoe making and other relevant skills that could assist them make a living and be self-reliant.
“We are here in Anambra to do what we know how to do best; that is to train women and youths to acquire life skills.
“We have a lot of unemployed youths; even the graduates are unemployed and we equally have uneducated young women and ladies.
“We also have those who are educated but probably what they read in the university is not fetching them the means of livelihood. These are skill gaps we try to address and we are focused,” the executive director said.
She explained that the group planned to train a minimum of 50 women and youths for the programme but more than 100 people indicated interest.
“What we want to ensure is that the first 50 to register will not only be trained but will be given starter packs to help them start their small scale or micro credit business immediately.’’
She said the organisation was partnering with the Anambra State Ministry of Women Affairs, the wife of the governor, Mrs Ebele Obiano, and Star Deep Nig. Ltd, a subsidiary of Chevron, to ensure the success of the training.