By: Ike Philip Abiagom- Newsbreeze
Igbuzo witnessed a moment of excitement and renewed hope as the Founder of the Obi Nwaokocha Okeze Foundation, Pastor Idowu Daniel Okeze, approved the establishment of a Skill Acquisition Training Centre aimed at empowering youths and promoting self-reliance within the community.
The approval was granted following the overwhelming response and large number of applications received for the Foundation’s skill acquisition programme. In a decisive move to accommodate and properly manage the beneficiaries, Pastor Okeze approved the Smaller Hall within the Obi Nwaokocha Okeze Event Centre to henceforth serve as a permanent Skill Acquisition Training Centre.
Giving further directives, Pastor Okeze ordered the immediate equipping of the centre and instructed that Batch A of the training programme should commence as soon as the facility is fully equipped. According to him, the initiative is designed to keep beneficiaries productively engaged, closely monitored, and adequately retrained for sustainable livelihoods.
“These people need to be kept busy, guided, retrained and empowered,” Pastor Okeze stated. “We must create a functional centre where various skills can be learned and perfected, after which qualified trainees will be empowered with starter packs to enable them establish themselves independently.”
The training programme will commence with the following skill areas:
Hairdressing
Tailoring
Leather making
Soap making
Make-up artistry and nail fixing
Baking
The Foundation also disclosed that outdoor and additional vocational skills will be introduced in subsequent phases of the programme.
Community stakeholders have described the development as a significant milestone, noting that the centre will positively engage young people, reduce unemployment, and foster economic growth within Igbuzo and its environs.
More updates on the programme are expected as preparations advance.
— Dr. Pat Adigwe