AMPEF Kicks Off Maiden Edition Of Empowerment Programme For Over 70 Youths

A human rights group, Ambassadors of Peace and Enlightenment Foundation (AMPEF) led by Comrade Prince Saviour Iche, has commenced the maiden edition of three months empowerment programme for Primary, Secondary and Senior Secondary School leavers in Alimosho LG of Lagos State.

P.M.EXPRESS reports that the event kicked off on Saturday August 3rd, 2024 in Ijegun area of Lagos State with over 70 youths as beneficiaries of the scheme.

The President of AMPEF, Prince Iche, explained that the training was organized to enable the young ones acquire extra skills outside school curriculum to foster independence and self sustainability.

He stated that the empowerment cut across acquiring knowledge, imbibing the drive for productivity and impartation.

“AMPEF is offering skill acquisition in Hair making, Beading, Makeup, Knitting, ICT training etc. Over 70 participants, who showed interest, will be tutored objectively and practically for three months. Thereafter, the participants will be awarded with certificates while the most outstanding graduands will be given a grant as start up capital.”

During the programme, parents of the youths who qualified for the empowerment programme, were sensitized on the importance of skill acquisition for their wards.

Engr. Adesina Israel, chairman of Progressive CDA, enlightened the parents on why self sustainability is paramount for the young ones as well as their parents. He emphasized that the children who have learnt practically can also pass on the knowledge to their sit at home mothers.

“Moreso, skill acquisition gears a child towards being self reliant financially to ease the burden off their parents while still in school.”

Engr. Israel, who was accompanied by members of his EXCO, noted that the initiative orchestrated by the convener of AMPEF, Comrade Iche, is going to be very productive. He said that the vocational programme will help the young ones drive towards sustainability, a much needed experience to ease off hardship currently faced by Nigerians.

“The Government cannot afford to employ every jobless Nigerian, hence the need to acquire a vocational skill and become enterprising is sacrosanct.”

Adesina Israel also told parents during the programme that the most outstanding child will be empowered with a grant as start up capital to encourage excellence.

He commended Comrade Iche for his thoughtfulness, and described him as an excellent compatriot dedicated to seeking a better society.

 Comrade Prince Saviour Iche, while speaking at the skill acquisition programme tagged “Catch Them Young”, stated that it is important to train the young ones with vocational trainings practically for multiple streams of income leading to self dependance.

He noted that education in Nigeria is substandard compared to other countries as they dwell more on theories rather than embrace practical method of teaching.

“In this regard, an average student tutored through primary, secondary and university finishes school but has limited knowledge on survival techniques.”

He explained that the programme were meant to interject such occurrences by enhancing young individuals as the children can earn while still in school.

He also stated that the vocational programme will run through August to November only on Saturdays and will not clash with normal school activities. He revealed that the age bracket for trainees is 8 – 18 years of age.

Prince Iche explained that the  programme was self sponsored but will be enhanced if the government and private sponsors can put resources into bettering this course.

“There is plan underway to extend the skill acquisition programme to other Local Government areas of Lagos State, Iche added.