By: Ike Philip Abiagom
Participants at the just concluded Federal Cooperative College Oji-River training on Capacity Building on Identification and Skill Development for Co-operators in Ibusa, Delta State have commended Pastor Idowu Chukwudi Okeze and the management of Federal Cooperative College, Oji River for the exercise, which they said have turned their lives around for good.
Provost of the institution, Dr. Owan O.T, in his address to the participants, said that the college makes provision for such capacity building programmes on a yearly basis as part of its social responsibility scheme to rural communities in bringing farmers, people in thrift and credit societies, consumer societies to mention a few for training sessions in the college. He said Federal Cooperative College Oji River was above 40 years and that the institution offers courses in cooperative economics and management, banking and finance, business administration, computer science and a host of others, stressing that the college was gradually transiting from a monotechnic to a polytechnic judging from the state of the college as a degree awarding institution.
Thereafter participants’ avid attention to various topical issues relating to improved methods of consumers’ multi-purpose cooperatives as it concerns profit-making and business expansion were brought to the fore as each of the participants took hook-line and sinker the nitty-gritty of the resource persons’ presentation.
It is evident that the actions and in-actions of Pastor Okeze,in the past of his proactive empowerment, not only supports but seamlessly aligned with the saying that the development of initiatives that focuses on social dimensions, and consist of introducing comprehensive plans to enrich human capital and enable Oshimili North citizens to grow through education, empowerment, training and support, are the major attributes/preoccupation of good leaders.
Pastor Okeze, who facilitated the training, said it is targeted at unearthing and nurturing the hidden potentials of the trainee and urged cooperators to acquire the right knowledge and skills needed in order to grow their enterprises beyond sole proprietorship.
Okeze noted that Federal Government vision was to train, retrain, direct and assist cooperative societies on best practices to survive the challenges caused by hardship so as to equip them to become the highest employers of labour and food suppliers.
He said, “There are high expectations from the beneficiaries. We never minced our words that it is for our benefit. We felt that there is need to take the bull by the horn to address the problem of unemployment.
No fewer than Six Hundred – 600 beneficiaries of the training including artisans, traders, unemployed graduates, and others were drawn from communities in Ibusa and Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta state attended the seminar which was held at the Obi Nwaokocha Okeze Cooperative Development Centre in Ibusa,Delta State on Saturday 7th of September 2024. This unique one day Capacity Building and Skill development for Consumers Co-operative Society members and Managers in Delta State which was attracted by Pastor Idowu Chukwudi Okeze and was powered by the Federal Cooperative College,(FCC),Orji River,Enugu State, under the Cooperative value chain. They said the intensive training has exposed them to new methods of skill development, while the cash grants will add to the capital of existing businesses as well as start-up funds for freshers.
In addition, the Personal Aide to Pastor Idowu Okeze,Dr Pat Adigwe,said the skill acquisition programs attracted by Pastor Idowu Okeze is to encourage entrepreneurship, create job and wealth for Deltans is widely accepted as many have embraced the program.
He said that Pastor Idowu Okeze has attracted a lot of projects to his constituency ranging from solar water scheme,solar street light,roads construction,schools renovation,supplies of books and chairs, monthly salaries to widows and youth empowerment among others.
“The way the various entrepreneurship development programs have been received across Delta North senatorial district shows that Pastor Okeze knew what the people wanted. Presently Pastor Okeze has met the yearnings of the people especially the youths, who are eagerly looking for opportunities to be enlisted into any of the programs’’ said Adigwe.
Also Hon. Engr. Peter Nwaese, who spoken to Journalist after the training said that what Idowu Okeze wants is to get more people into human development. He believes in human capital development; he believes in skills acquisition; he understands that the government is struggling to pay salaries and it would be easier to help people become employers of labour,” he said.
“So, following his stronger Delta North mantra, this is another training in which he wants to get more people trained in the skill they can combine with what they already had, in order to be able to cater for themselves and their families.”
He advised the beneficiaries to be truthful to themselves and learn all they need to learn, interact with one another, keep in touch with their trainers.
In an interview with Newsbreeze by one of the trainee, Mrs Okafor, a trader said: “The training was timely and crucial at this moment when technology has taken over everything. “As an experienced cooperator, I have learned new things which will be applied in my business, and the cash grants are added advantages and I will continue to be grateful to God and the facilitator Pastor Okeze for this opportunity.”
Similarly, Nwaokolo,a trader from Isieke community in Ibusa, Oshimili North Local Government said: “The society at large will benefit if this kind of training is constant at periodic intervals. This is my first time attending training like this and so far I am happy that I am lucky, to be here, lucky because I have been trained on ways to improve my business, how to raise capital through cooperative society as well as market my product online without any stress.”
He thanked Pastor Okeze for his genuine passion for the younger generation and urged others to emulate his laudable programs for youth development instead of giving the stipends and other material things that will add no serious value to their lives.
Another trainees from the capacity traning section,Mr. Chinonso Nwandu, who hails from Ogwashi-Uku, said it was a laudable project while thanking the Federal Government for such innovation.
Also Speaking with journalists in Ibusa on Saturday was one of the participants, Kikachukwu Osadebe a graduate and job seeker said, “Though I am managing a little business, with this training, everything will change, because the opportunity to be here has not just boosted my morale but has also opened my eyes to so many things which will help in sustaining my businesses and I will forever be grateful to Pastor Idowu Okeze and Federal Cooperative College for the genuine interest in helping the society.”
During the presentation of the certificate, the Provost Federal Cooperative College, Oji River, Dr Owan Obodagu Tonica, congratulated the beneficiaries and urged them to make use of the training in positively impacting society by training others on what they have learned so far.
Pastor Idowu Okeze in his message to the participants at the end of the training, said he facilitated the training for his constituents to reduce the number of unemployed youths through the acquisition of basic knowledge that will help them on self-development without relying on any government job.
He, however, cautioned the beneficiaries against using the cash grants for the purpose it was not meant for and urged them to maintain a constant relationship with their facilitators for more support and clarifications in areas that may be difficult to understand. He implored the beneficiaries to apply the knowledge they have acquired so far in their businesses and teach others so as to have a better society. “With this training, you are good to start and flourish in your businesses, once again I want to congratulate and wish you all the best in life.”
Pastor Okeze use the medium to appreciate the resource persons’ Ekabua Isaac I.E,who presented a paper on ‘The Effective Communication Strategies Consumers’ Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society, Okoro Stanley presented a paper on” Roles and Responsibilities of Consumers Cooperative Managers, Chris Ugboaga who was represented by Okeleke Simon Chukwudi presented a paper on “Inventory Management and Control and others who contributed to the success of this workshop.
The capacity training and empowerment workshop was graced by dignitaries like Chief Victor Uchuno,President ICDU Worldwide, Mr. Paul Okobi, President,ICDU Ibusa Branch,Hon. Nkechi Enumah-Chukura,Executive Assistance to the Delta State Governor on Women Mobilization, Mr Christian Ogor, Deputy Director,(representing Director of Cooperatives in Delta State), Hon. Onyesis Okeze, Engr. Peter Nwaese,Mr Gwunyenga Innocent Izu, Registrar, Federal Cooperative College, Oji River and amongst others.
