NGO Empowers Youths In Awka

A non-governmental organization, Mmaigbo Empowerment Foundation has kicked off vocational training for youths in different entrepreneurial areas in the 2022/2023 edition of the exercise.

The exercise began with induction and basic orientation for the new trainees in Awka.

Mmaigbo Empowerment Foundation was registered under the Allied Matters Act of 2022, with the aim of promoting Igbo cultural heritage and identity at home and in the diaspora.

The trainees will acquire skills in shoemaking, beauty care, confectioneries, ICT, cinematography, tailoring, electricals, among others.

They will also undergo three essential training stages before they would be given start-up kits.

In his remarks during the induction and orientation exercises, the Director General of the foundation, Mr Uzo Ekemezie, who described the programme as his brainchild, said that it is aimed at fashioning out ways of engaging youths meaningfully, for them to impact the society around them.

Mr Ekemezie while noting that they also aim to promote Igbo cultural norms, called on governments at all levels to partner those that have interest in developing the society through youth empowerment.

He noted that Ndigbo are hardworking people and urged youths to utilize the programme opportunity in achieving at least one skill that would help them become self reliant.

In their separate lectures on “Uniqueness of Igbo Culture and Tradition” and “Importance of Skills Acquisition Among Youths,” a Deputy Director, National Orientation Agency, NOA, Sir Joseph Uchendu, the Director, Administration, Office of the Governor, Anambra State, Lady Patience Anagor, a public affairs analyst, Dr Dennis Ekemezie, and Mrs Chinelo Ononiru described the move by the NGO as a welcome development, which would help to harness potential of many youths.

They commended the founder of the foundation for his foresight, while also advising youths to always engage themselves positively, shun crime and help government to fight restiveness and unemployment in the society.

Some of the participants; Emmanuel Nwalu and Chisom Mbonu, commended the Foundation for giving them the opportunity to partake in the program and appealed to those that drag youths integrity to the mud to desist and utilize positive opportunities to learn a skills and be useful to themselves, their families and the society at large.