A non-governmental organisation (NGO), Input for Development, has supported no fewer than 300 residents of Kabusa Community in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) with vocational skill acquisition.
Development Diaries reports that the initiative was aimed at nurturing and deploying local talents as tools for sustainable development.
Speaking at the event, the convener of the NGO, Tunde Gbamgboye, said the programme, tagged ‘Operation Busy Hands’, was conceived to complement government and other stakeholder efforts toward achieving the 2030 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Gbamgboye explained that the empowerment initiative was motivated by the economic hardship affecting many communities across Nigeria and beyond.
‘We want people to be empowered within their own communities. With 2030 fast approaching, we believe the private sector must work hand in hand with government to achieve the SDGs’, he said.
He added that without private sector involvement, meeting the SDGs would be difficult due to the scale of resources required.
‘That is why we are coming directly to the communities. When people are empowered, they can create jobs, generate income and contribute meaningfully to development. This is how we believe the SDGs can be achieved’, he stated.
The programme offered hands-on training in soap-making, production of body and hair creams, detergents, insecticides, Vaseline, air fresheners and antiseptics. Participants were also trained in bag-making, tailoring, catering, painting and printing, among other vocational skills.
One of the trainers, Magret Moses, who facilitated the soap-making sessions, appealed to the federal government and other stakeholders to provide start-up kits and grants for participants.
‘Without early support, many of the trainees may not be able to put these skills to use because they lack the resources to start their businesses’, she warned.
A beneficiary, 17-year-old Master Timothy Olamide, who was trained in bag-making, expressed appreciation to the organisers for selecting Kabusa Community for the pilot phase.
‘Before this training, I worked as a sales boy in a local shop. With this new skill, I hope to get support to start my own business and grow into a recognised brand in the future’, he said.
The event also featured the presentation of first aid boxes to government primary and secondary schools in the community, as well as a novelty football match involving Super Sports FC, Oduduwa FC, Mirald FC and Young Star FC.
Source: NAN
Photo source: NAN
