NEW Foundation Engages 200 Ebonyi Youths in Free Skills Training Programme
From Nabob Ogbonna, Abakaliki
A group under the umbrella of the Neighbourhood Environment Watch (NEW) Foundation has officially enrolled over 200 indigent youths from Ebonyi State into its three-month “Skill to Scale” programme.
The programme, which falls under the Uplift Programme of Africa Forward, is designed to empower young people with income-generating skills, enabling them to become self-employed upon completion of the three-month training.
Addressing participants on Monday, the Coordinator and Executive Director of the NEW Foundation, Dr. Kelechukwu Okezie, said the initiative is targeted at helping young people in Ebonyi State build sustainable livelihoods through high-demand skills.
“These skills include digital literacy, fashion design, cosmetology, pastries and catering, mushroom farming, beauty salon services, and barbing.
“Our goal is to nurture a new generation of skilled and confident young individuals, economically empowering them to contribute meaningfully to the development of our communities through skilled work.
“We are investing in their potential, and we believe that with the right support, they can become job creators rather than job seekers,” he said.
Okezie used the opportunity to call on government institutions, philanthropic organisations, and private sector actors to partner with the NEW Foundation. He stressed that providing startup grants and post-training support for participants is essential to sustaining the programme’s objectives.
He maintained that such support would not only help reduce crime but would also be critical in ensuring that beneficiaries become entrepreneurs.
The Director-General of the Ebonyi State Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (EB-SMEDAN), Dr. Stephen Odoh, charged the beneficiaries to take the opportunity seriously, describing it as a turning point that could shape their futures.
“This is a rare opportunity that can redefine your lives, and your level of commitment will determine how far you go.
“The government is fully aligned with this initiative, and we will continue to support the NEW Foundation throughout the lifespan of this project and beyond,” he said.
He further assured that the initiative would be presented as a model programme under the state government’s People’s Charter of Needs, noting that it aligns with the state’s current vision for economic empowerment and inclusive development.
