By Victor Okoye
Nasarawa – A Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), A3 Foundation, has trained 108 students of Nasarawa Toto community in Nasarawa State, on various skills to make them self reliant.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the training took place at the end of the Nigeria Polytechnic Games (NIPOGA) in Nasarawa.
Amb. Aisha Audu–Emeje, President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Foundation, and the sole promoter of NIPOGA, told NAN that the objective of the training was to channel youths’ attention toward self-development.
“This event is about empowering the youths, men and women at the grassroots.
“We have found a way of training them on how to produce a lot of Made-in-Nigeria products. So, the whole idea is to promote `Made-in-Nigeria Products and empower Nigerians.
“Participants will all receive their certificates and are expected to start their own businesses as soon as possible,” Audu-Emeje said.
She also said:“From the beginning of NIPOGA, we had already planned that while we bring such greatness to Nasarawa, the sports legends, the athletes and the 41 polytechnics and the community will also benefit.
“I believe that with what you have learnt, you can do something on your own.
“On our part, we will not stop there; we will follow up with you, work with SMEDAN and all the relevant government agencies to move you forward.
“This certificate you have acquired is like a meal coupon, it is your key to your next success. With it you can access whatever you want, including loan facilities from the micro finance banks.
“The more interest you show, the more training we bring to your doorsteps. Our commitment as A3 Foundation and our partners is to help you to grow.
“By this time next year, you all will be the first products of NIPOGA to declare profit,” she said.
NAN also reports that former England-based footballer, John Fashanu and his wife, and Rachael Beckham were on hand to offer words of advice and present certificates to the beneficiaries.
Fashanu charged the beneficiaries to work hard to enable them to achieve their dreams, adding that a window of opportunity had been opened for them through the help of A3 Foundation.
“You must have a story. I became a billionaire, but I had nothing when I started; no father, no mother, living in a house with 300 white children.
“I didn’t even know black children until I was 17 years old. Every success has a story. So, sitting amongst you here, you must have potential billionaires.
“So, you must work hard because your opportunity is here. This is a wonderful opportunity that A3 Foundation has given to you.
“They have opened door for you and only God knows the hard work she has put into all these to open this window of opportunity for you all.
“And we know you are going to repay her by being successful,” he said.
Beckham said that A3 Foundation had done very well to train the youths and women of the community, adding that it was a rare opportunity for the beneficiaries.
“This kind of training doesn’t come cheap but you all have been given it for free.
“It is indeed a big opportunity for you. So, I think you need to take this very seriously and begin your own brand.
Some beneficiaries who spoke to NAN expressed joy at the completion of the training, saying that it was a lifetime opportunity for which they would remain forever grateful to the foundation.
Mohammed Saleh said, “I want to specially thank Amb. Audu-Emeje for making this possible. Without her we will not have had this opportunity.
“We have learnt so much under a short period and seeing people like Fashanu talk to us, has really inspired me and I can’t wait to start my own small business,” he said.
Fatima Beida said, “let me use this opportunity to thank God for using Amb. Audu-Emeje to bring this kind of opportunity to our town.
“The benefits are so immense and numerous to mention and now we have been empowered to go and start our own business. I can’t appreciate A3 enough for this gesture,” she said.
Hajia Talatu Saidu said she was so excited to have learnt so much from soap making to izal and bleach.
“Before, I used to spend nothing less than N1, 500 to buy soap for myself and my family, but with what I have learnt, I don’t need to spend money buying soap anymore.
“I have now been empowered to be a producer rather than a mere consumer,” she said.
NAN reports that the beneficiaries were taught how to make products like Vaseline, liquid soap, air freshener, toilet stain remover, bleach, izal, dettol, laundry perfume, liquid starch and powder starch.
Others training include, Industrial cleaning, hospital, hotel, plaza and household services.