The wife of the Enugu State Governor, Mrs. Monica Ugwuanyi, has
charged the youths to avail themselves of the opportunity in the
available skill acquisition centres in the country and become self
reliant in their endeavours.
Mrs. Ugwuanyi made the call yesterday while flagging-off a six-day
youth empowerment programme organized by the Gazzelle Vocational Youth
Empowerment development in partnership with Fidelity Bank Plc and
Industrial Training Fund (ITC) at Nsukka.
Addressing the participants and the organizers of the programme at
University of Nigeria Nsukka, venue of the event, Mrs. Ugwuanyi
observed that youth unemployment has continued to rise, a situation
she described as dangerous following the vices associated with it.
She explained that the call had become necessary as these skill
acquisition centres when embraced would enthrone successful artisans,
entrepreneurs and consultants in the areas of fashion designing,
agriculture, welding, catering, cosmetic/soap making, black-smiting,
tie and dye among others which she noted were in line with her pet
project.
The governor’s wife enjoined corporate organizations, NGO’s and good
spirited philanthropists to engage the nation’s youth and job seekers
in meaningful activities that would make them self reliance and eschew
vices in the society, urging the participants to be more dedicated.
Speaking on the occasion, the deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic,
University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Prof Chukwuma Ogbonna described the
university as a pace setter in education, adding that, the programme
was designed to improve the lives of the students and participants
alike.
Prof Ogbonna explained that the Vocational Academy would enable the
school produce graduates that would compete with their counterparts
world over, noting that the university family would do everything
within its power to empower its students and advised them to make
proper use of the opportunities.
Speaking, the Managing Director, Fidelity Bank Plc, Enugu and Ebonyi
States, Mr. Leo Ezugwu disclosed that his bank came to partner with
Gazzelle Academy to take off the programme, noting that Fidelity Bank
is always interested in human oriented business programmes towards the
development of the society.
He noted that the bank always funds and encourages genuine
organizations instituted to commence meaningful programmes.
The founder and the initiator of the Gazzelle Academy Vocational
Centre, Mrs. Muna Onuzo said that the programme was put in place to
extend hands of fellowship with Her Excellency and the university
community towards empowering the undergraduates in the areas of
agriculture, catering, makeup/cosmetics, ICT, hospitality, fashion
designing among others.
