No fewer than fifty persons have benefited from the training carried out by a social enterprise and a service provider, Genius Hub in Textile and Fashion Designing.
The training programme which lasted for three months was funded by Giz-SKYE, Nigerian – Center for jobs, Migration and re-integration and Skills Development for Youth Employment.
Speaking at the graduation /presentation of start-up tools held in Benin City, Edo State yesterday, the state coordinator, Migration for Development Program (PME) GIZ, Mrs Esosa Akuku said that Textile/ Fashion Designing is one of the numerous programmes sponsored and funded by GIZ to empower the youths to they can economically take care of themselves and to be self reliant.
In her words, “We appreciate the Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki for creating enabling environment for us to strive in the state.
“We not only train for free, at the end of every training, we provide graduants with start-up tools and also support them to register their business names.
“We emphasize on skill acquisition because in the country we find ourselves today, only formal education is not enough. We need added skills to back up for whateverever we do to make ends meet “
She encouraged the graduating students to put to work what ever knowledge they acquired so as to impact positively on the society.
In a keynote speech, Mrs Florence Owie of Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment noted that Government is no longer able to provide jobs for everyone, hence, skill acquisition is paramount for economic growth.
Also speaking at the event, Joan Ojiewa from NationalAgency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), who represented the Zonal Coordinator, Mrs Chidiebere Ifudu revealed that Human Trafficking is something that is eating deep in the country, Nigeria. She said, “If we keep training and helping youths acquire skills, human trafficking will be a thing of the past.”
The chief Innovative Officer and one of the Board of Trustees of Genius Hub, Mrs Isimeme Whyte said that a research carried out by the Organization shows that unemployment is a major cause of social vices and human trafficking.
Said she, “We support Giz in training of youths to turn their talents into resources. I tell you, great personalities who are doing well for themselves have passed through this training. A total of 6000 persons have benefited from the training since 2015”.
One of the graduating students, Kevin Okundia appreciated the organizers of the programme for giving them the opportunity to be empowered. “When we started, I didn’t believe I could do anything meaningful. I was so afraid but, from the motivation I got from the staff of Genius Hub, I was able to stay through out the program.
” It will interest you to know that apart from teaching you on the areas of acquiring skills, the organization also go the extra mile to help you build your self esteem. Today I am a different person from who I use to be. I have got skills to put monies in my pocket, I am bold and can speak in the public no matter who is standing. Kudos to Giz-Genius Hub”.
