An International humanitarian group, Open-arms Outreach Organization has commenced a two-week skills acquisition training program for youths, men and women in the 16 autonomous communities in Isu Local Government Area of Imo State, in continuation of its drive towards creating a productive and economically self-reliant population in the country.
The training program which kicked off on Thursday at the Town School, Ebenato Ekwe, was formally declared open by the Sole Administrator, SOLAD, of Isu Council Area, Hon. Ifeanyi Oguzie, in company of traditional rulers of the communities in the LGA.
Speaking during the flag-off ceremony, the SOLAD, Hon. Oguzie, who was represented by one of his aides, Hon. Simeon Tochukwu Uzoigwe applauded the vision of the Open Arms organization in bringing the skill acquisition program to Isu people.
The council boss who said that his administration is committed to the success of the program because it is in tandem with the vision of the ‘Shared Prosperity’ agenda of Governor Hope Uzodimma, said that necessary security arrangements have been made by his council to support the program.
He promised to provide post-training support to the participants in any way possible after the training in order to ensure that the beneficiaries and the council area at large, reap the full benefits of the training exercise.
Oguzie who encouraged the participants to take the training seriously despite challenges stressed that there is no end to learning in life and warned them against taking the occasion as a jamboree.
To the organization, Oguzie said, “You are building a nation by this project of equipping young people with skills that will make them productive in life. We pray that God will enlarge your coast so that you can continue to carry on with this great work to uplift humanity.”
In his keynote address, the International Chairman of Open Arms Outreach Organization, Rev. Basil Ndubuisi Njoku(Basilman) disclosed that the reason for embarking on the entrepreneurship program is to show the love of Jesus Christ to the needy in the world.
According to him, the vision to train young and old people to endow them with impactful skills started in 2018 in Nigeria with the formation of the organization but has continued to expand with its incorporation and official launch in Canada and USA in 2019 and 2021 respectively.
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Commenting on the theme of the event, ‘Acquire Skills To Be Your Own Like Bezaleel of Old,’ drawn from Exodus 31:1-6; Rev. Njoku urged the trainees not to take the chance for granted saying that the exercise if taken seriously, will turn round the fortunes of Isu land for good in no distant future.
He declared that the two weeks training is free of charge, intensively packaged and being handled by professionals in the various skills as resource persons.
Njoku noted with dismay that Nigeria is still struggling with economic challenges despite her enormous resources because it priority attention was not given to skills acquisition from the onset.
He added that Open Arms Outreach Organization brings succor to humanity via five projects namely: Skills Acquisition, Provision of potable water, free medical outreach, empowerment for indigent widows/orphans and Scholarship scheme.
Contributing, the Chairman’s wife, Dr. Mrs Helen Njoku appreciated the leadership of Isu LGA, Ebenato Ekwe Community and the body of Christ in the area for commencement of the event and showing interest in the well-being of their children.
Njoku, who is the International Vice Chairman of the organization, thanked the Open Arms team for a job well done assuring the participants that the program will mark a positive turning point in their lives if they are dedicated and trust God.
Earlier, the national coordinator of Open Arms, Rev. Elijah Chukwudi Emmanuel, in his welcome address,
announced that the participants will be trained in Foot Wears/ Bag making, Cosmetology, Catering/Confectioneries, Phone Repairs, Hair Barbing, Agriculture, Information Communication Technology, ICT and Cinematography.
He charged the trainees to utilize the time of the program to imbibe the culture of business-mindedness and focus rather than chasing frivolities like many others of this generation.
In a vote of thanks on behalf of the traditional rulers in Isu, HRH Eze Ifeanyi A. Nwokoforo of Ebenato Ekwe Autonomous Community specially recognized the role of one Pastor Uwaoma Onyekwere in attracting the program.
The monarch represented by his Palace Secretary, Chief Gabriel Nnadi, remarked that the program is apt and auspicious because offering people skills acquisition in these hard times is key to economic empowerment and crime fighting.
“This is an opportunity for our youths to upgrade themselves and improve their lives. I encourage you to take advantage of this rare privilege and don’t miss the opportunity. Be dedicated and commit yourselves to learning the many skills for your own good,” he said.
He asserted that the community and the entire Isu Council Area cannot thank Rev. Basil Nkoku and his organization enough for the gesture and assured that the communities will partner with him in the project to improve human lives.
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