Four hundred and fifteen vulnerable in Lagos and Ekiti States have benefitted free vocational skills training with empowerment of start up working tools from the Caritas Nigeria to be self reliant and financially independent.
Two hundred and eight were trained in the Ikorodu and Badagry Areas of Lagos State, while two hundred and seven were empowered in Ekiti State.
The beneficiaries were trained under the Caritas Nigeria programme themed “Building Sustainable Livelihoods for Vibrant Communities, B-SLiC, for five months in vocational skills such as Hairdressing, Tailoring, Catering, Auto mechanic, Bead making, Shoe and Bag making, Carpentry and Furniture, Phone repair, Plumbing, Aluminium fabrication, Bathing, Soap making, Electrical works and cosmetic Make-up among others.
The B-SLiC program was supported by the Conrad Hilton Foundation of U.S implemented through the Caritas Nigeria, in collaboration with the Sisters of St. Louis, Eucharistic Heart of Jesus Sisters, Daughters of Charity, and Sisters of St. Michael the Archangel.
At Igbaga Hall, Olorunda in Ikorodu, the Director of Caritas Nigeria’s Humanitarian Services, Nkese Udongwo, reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to empowering communities and tackling the root causes of unemployment and poverty.
At the event, attended by traditional leaders, political leaders, and the locals, the Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Most. Reverend Alfred Adewale Martins, said that, the empowerment was to assist the poor make a better living by being able to fend for themselves, while urging the beneficiaries to be a blessing to others in the society with the knowledge gained .
“Don’t despite the little beginning, continue to learn on the job and be disciplined in your conduct”
“Have faith in God, hold on to God and let your faith show in the quality of works, services and products you render to the public at moderate prices too.
“Put on the garment of worthy character, raise others around you just as you have been raised by the good works of others,” he said.
The beneficiaries who were visibly elated thanked Caritas Nigeria which is the brainchild of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, for the privilege and promised to utilize the knowledge gained from the training to be economically viable in the society and also become employers of labor.
The General Secretary, Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Reverend Father Michael Banjo, said that, with the high rate of youth unemployment in the society, schemes such as these are needed to meaningfully engage people, sustain the drive and help their families out of poverty level and to make the communities vibrant economically.
The programme was targeted at the poor and the vulnerable, empowered people without any recourse to their religion, tribe and political affiliations.
The Executive Secretary, Caritas Nigeria, Reverend Father Peter Babangida Audu, advised the beneficiaries to establish their businesses, be resolute to sustain it with the acquired managerial skills and train others to make service and products available.
He appealed to beneficiaries not to sell the equipment given to them but to use it to better their lives.
Some of the start up toolkits given to beneficiaries include beads, empty plastic bottles with chemicals for soap making, make-up kits and cosmetics, sewing machines, shoe making machines, hair dryers, charcoal stoves etc
Reporting by Yemisi Dada