By Amaka Isikala
A community-driven initiative under the Oba Skill Acquisition and Empowerment Programme has continued to make impact by equipping Oba youths with practical skills for economic independence.
The programme, often supported by traditional institutions and community partners, focuses on vocational training, youth development, and entrepreneurship. In one of the recent activities, participants underwent intensive training sessions designed to prepare them for self-reliance and employment opportunities.
The initiative collaborates with organizations and training centers to deliver capacity-building programmes across different sectors, including craft mechanics, off shore welders, heavy goods vehicle drivers, solar engineers, digital skills, auto mechanics and small-scale business development.
In an address, His Royal Highness of Oba, Engr. Augustine Emelobe (Eze Okpoko 11) noted that implementation of these training programmes will empower the youths to participate in meaningful and productive activities by providing opportunities for skill acquisition and professional development, adding that the initiative is expected to significantly reduce the rates of youth unemployment and restiveness within the community.
According to him, the programmes are designed to foster local entrepreneurship,supporting individuals as they embark on establishing their own businesses.This will therefore, contribute to poverty alleviation by creating new avenues for income generation and self sufficiency.
Igwe Emelobe emphasized that the initiative aims to discourage anti-social behaviors by encouraging young people in positive pursuits as well as ultimately serve as a catalyst for promoting peace, stability and sustainable development in Oba.
“The collective initiative to redirect and empower the youths of Oba has garnered the support of the Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Charles Soludo and his unwavering commitment to youth empowerment has been extensively cited. This involvement not only highlights the Governor’s dedication to the course but also emphasizes the significance and impact of our efforts to foster positive change within the community.”
The Chairman of Oba Skill Acquisition and Empowerment Committee, Prof. Dozie Onunkwo in an address, highlighted that training without empowerment creates frustration while training with empowerment creates wealth, stressing that the move into the empowerment phase, job placement partnerships, cooperative truck ownership, structured diaspora-backed financing cannot be over emphasized.
“Within this innovation hub, Ndi Oba will receive practical training in transportation, engineering digital technology, renewable energy, manufacturing, enterprise development and technical trades. We are raising aircraft mechanics,Heavy goods vehicles drivers, programmers, fashion designers, digital technicians and entrepreneurs.
“Today, we unveil the Oba Skill Acquisition Multi-Trade Innovation Hub.This hub will not just be a structure of cement and steel, it is a workshop of hope,a factory of competence and training ground for independence”.
Amaka is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State
