Skills Training Participants Commend Obiano’s Wife

EMEKA OZUMBA

Participants in the ongoing six weeks Skills training programme organized by  Caring Family Enhancement Initiative (CAFÉ), NGO of the wife of Governor of Anambra State have applauded the founder, Chief (Mrs.) Ebelechukwu Obiano (Osodieme) for her commitment to human development and self-reliance training for women especially widows and youths in the state.

The commendations were made by some of the participants currently undergoing the free training sponsored by Osodieme at Mary Sumner Vocational Training Institute, Awka during the half-way programme review and monitoring visit by CAFÉ officials Thursday 28th June 2018.

The some of the 350 participants undergoing trainings on Hairdressing and beauty therapy, Bakery and confectionery, Tailoring and fashion designs, Soap making and computer repairs, testify that the programme has so far equipped them through practical training to learn to be proficient in the various skills, and has given them the right mindset for self-reliance.

Expressing thanks a Tailoring trainee, Mr. Uchenna Ezeh from Ezeawulu, Nibo Awka South Local Government Area captured the feelings of most of the trainees.

His words:

“I registered in the Governor’s wife office and was invited. You can see I am over fifty years but I am here to learn so that I can feed my family. I have already learnt basic tailoring and more. Look at the chiffons I made and other cloths that many of us have learnt to make in three weeks. I want you people to carry our thanks to Osodieme! Mama Anambra! Tell her that we are praying for her and our Governor every day.”

Also speaking on behalf of their colleagues in Hairdressing and Soap making classes, Miss Chinenye Omeje and Mrs. Christiana Ndibe, said that the skills Acquisition programme has been a rewarding new experience which would serve as a solid template for success in their quest for entrepreneurship. They commended Osodieme for the opportunity which Miss Omeje described as “life-changing for me.”

On her part, Miss Ifunanya Emezuo, in Tailoring and fashion design class, said that the training has availed her of the rudiments of measurement, cutting and design, while her counterpart from Bakery and confectionery class, a widow, Mrs. Obiageliaku Nnanyelugo could not hide her excitement at learning to bake bread. She equally thanked Osodieme for using CAFE as a vehicle for empowerment and poverty eradication.

Earlier Representative of Osodieme, Special Adviser to the Governor on Indigenous Medicine, Dr. Onyeka Ibezim said that he is impressed with the progress recorded by the trainees in just three weeks. He charged them not to lose sight of the objective to be self-reliant after the training by focusing more during the remaining weeks, and assured that he will convey their pleasantries to the founder of CAFÉ.

Also speaking after conducting the CAFÉ team round the classes, the Director, Mary Sumner Vocational Institute, Lady Ngozi Ezomike, stated that by the end of the programme the trainees would have gained ample start-up experience that would prepare them for greater entrepreneurial breakthroughs, adding that the training was a laudable initiative that will give a lasting benefit to the participants. She thanked Osodieme for helping many less privileged individuals in Anambra State to realize their dreams.

The Skills Acquisition training programme which commenced on 4th June 2018 is expected to end in two weeks. The trainees will on graduation receive equipment as empowerment from Osodieme in the various trades and stipend as start-up support in their chosen enterprise.