By Uzo Ugwunze
More than 500 youths, women and community leaders in Ojoto, Idemili South Local Government Area(LGA) of Anambra State, are currently undergoing a five-day training in first aid, emergency response and lifesaving skills.
The training, organised by the Ojoto Rising Star Charity Foundation, began on Sept. 8 and is ongoing at Afor Bulu Eke Hall, Ojoto Girls Secondary School, Ojoto. It is scheduled to run through Sept. 12.
The programme, themed “Health, Safety & Lifesaving Skills,” is designed to equip participants with practical knowledge to respond to emergencies, prevent avoidable harm and promote healthier living.
The sponsor, Dr. Emeka Cyprian Uzoh, said the initiative followed the Foundation’s 2025 “Going Green” campaign, which focused on agriculture, job creation, food security and climate action.
He said the decision to focus on health and safety this year was driven by the need to equip ordinary people with basic knowledge that could help save lives before professional assistance arrives.
“Last year we taught people how to grow food. This year we are teaching people how to save lives. Many deaths in our communities happen not because help wasn’t available, but because no one around knew what to do in those first few minutes,” Uzoh said.
The ongoing sessions cover basic first aid, emergency awareness and lifesaving responses, as well as poisoning and choking prevention, home and community safety, personal hygiene and healthy living.
Uzoh said the programme was not simply about issuing certificates, but about building a stronger culture of safety, preparedness and compassion within communities.
The foundation plans to extend the training model to other communities across Anambra State in 2027.
Community leaders commended the initiative as an investment in people and community resilience, while beneficiaries described the training as practical, timely and relevant to everyday emergencies.
Uzo Ugwunze is of the Ministry of Information and Value Reformation, Anambra State
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