FG Trains, Empowers 95 South-East Youths in Skills Acquisition
From Nabob Ogbonna, Abakaliki
The Federal Government has trained and empowered 95 youths from the South-East geopolitical zone with vocational skills, equipment, and startup funds as part of efforts to create job opportunities, promote entrepreneurship, and reduce unemployment among youths.
The beneficiaries, drawn from the 95 local government areas across Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo states, graduated on Sunday from the Skill-Up South East Programme.
The programme is an initiative of the Renewed Hope Administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Speaking during the graduation and empowerment ceremony held at the Ecumenical Centre, Abakaliki, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement (South-East), Hon. Barr. Mrs. Chioma Nweze, said the programme was designed to equip young people with practical skills and entrepreneurial knowledge needed to become self-reliant and productive members of society.
According to her, the beneficiaries underwent intensive training in tailoring and fashion design, alongside lessons in financial literacy and business management.
She disclosed that each of the graduating fashion designers received a brand-new sewing machine and startup funds to enable them to commence business operations immediately in their respective states.
Nweze said the initiative reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to empowering Nigerian youths and creating opportunities for wealth creation through skills acquisition.
She noted that many of the trainees had little or no prior skills or experience, but had successfully acquired competencies capable of securing their financial future.
“The programme gave them more than vocational training. It equipped them with business and financial management skills because training without the ability to sustain a business can limit economic growth.
“Today, they leave not only with skills but also with tools and support to begin their entrepreneurial journeys,” she stated.
The presidential aide described the South-East as a region benefiting significantly under the President in areas of empowerment, appointments, and road infrastructure development.
Projects such as the Enugu-Abakaliki Expressway, Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway, Abakaliki-Afikpo Road, and the Umuahia-Aba section of the federal highway are expected to enhance connectivity and stimulate commerce within the region.
“And all these benefits have been made visible under the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration, and the South-East has gained and is still gaining more,” she said.
She further noted that the Federal Government had approved the South-East Investment Company under the South East Development Commission to accelerate industrialization and economic expansion in the zone.
