By Okuanwan Offiong
Lagos – A Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Sought-Out Cities Arts, Skill, and Empowerment Initiatives (Socasemp) Initiatives, on Sunday, empowered no fewer than 250 youths of Makoko Community in Lagos State in various vocational skills.
The Director of the Initiative, Mrs Eunice Okoh, expressed satisfaction with the turnout of the applicants.
She said that about 1,000 applicants applied for the programme and 250 were short listed.
“I am sincerely thrilled by the turnout for the programme. We received about 1,000 applications and later shortlisted 250 as against 200 we planned for.
“Yet applications never stopped coming from interested youths, as many continued to come for enquiry about enrolment but we cannot offer more,’’ Okoh said.
He said the organisation also invited a dance trainer from the U.S. with couples of other trainers to ensure the success of the programme.
“I am thrilled by the commitment of the participants who did not relent come rain or shine to be empowered with the marketable skills.
“This third edition of our empowerment programme and first in Makoko community is aimed at training 250 youngsters in partnership with Abel Enikanologbon Organisation.
“We trained youths in various vocational skills like Bead making, Fashion Creation and Design, Make-up, Decorations, Catering, Dance, Music and Computer/Graphics Design.
“Our organisation did all the trainings at no cost to the participants,’’ she said
A special guest of the event, Alhaja Alimat Sowemimo, commended the efforts of the trainers and organisers, stressing that such action would help reduce the number of unemployed youths.
Sowemimo, a Solicitor with the Lagos State Government, advised the youth to ensure they “carve a niche for themselves’’ in order to be distinguished in the labour market.
One of the trainees in fashion design, Miss Esther Okpoe, described the training as “inspiring and life-changing’’ for the youth.
Okpoe said that the training was really inspiring.
“We were trained on how to make bags, bow ties, hair clips, ear rings, bangles and baby dresses with needles and thread with less use of the sewing machine,’’ she said.”
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the third edition of the four-week-training programme organised by Socasemp, was in partnership with Abel Enikanologbon Organisation to take youths away from the streets.
The event, held at the Yaba Local Council Development Area Vocational Centre, featured exhibition of various works of the trainees.
The event, which attracted officials of the LCDA, gave opportunity for participants and lover of creative works to purchase various art works of the trainees exhibited at the venue..
Gifts were also given to the trainees with the best rated works by the organisers.
