ETIM EFFIONG
At least 3,000 persons from the South-South states have benefitted from the Federal Government’s N-Power training sponsored by the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development.
The beneficiaries, who were non-graduates selected from Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Edo, Rivers and Cross River States, were trained in different skills to be self-reliant.
The Akwa Ibom State Coordinator of the programme, Mrs Itoro Moses-Duku, said on Thursday during the graduation ceremony for N-Tech software participants in Abak Local Government Area that Akwa Ibom State was chosen as the host for the South-South states.
Moses-Duku explained that four centres comprising Samuel Bill Theological College, Ukpum School, Trinity Polytechnic and Maurid Polytechnic respectively were used for the N-Power training in Akwa Ibom State.
She said the beneficiaries were trained for three months and all their entitlements including transport and food allowances totalling N42,000 have been given to them.
“This is first of its kind in Akwa Ibom, it was actually in Edo state before but now brought back to Akwa Ibom.
“The N-Power has non-graduates and graduates’ arms but the training in these particular camps are for non-graduates in South-South,” she said.
Also speaking, Mr Godwin Akpan, State Focal Person for Social Investment Programme said the beneficiaries were trained on the software, hardware, scriptwriting among others, adding that the trainees were selected depending on their area of specialisation.
Akpan mentioned that the beneficiaries would be given starter packs, tools, and laptops, noting that allowances were given to each trainee at the camp before they transited on Wednesday, December 22, 2021.
He commended the Federal Government for taking over 100,000 youths out of the streets and making them self-employed.
“This particular set of beneficiaries were non-graduates, they are supposed to come and learn some skills, go back to develop themselves and create a livelihood for themselves.
“The Federal Government was magnanimous enough to ensure that the period the beneficiaries were in the camp, they were given feeding and transportation allowance
“As they are departing today, they would also get their transportation and feeding allowances,” he stated.
One of the beneficiaries, Anyawu Benjamin from Cross River state said the experience was a nice one and commended the Federal Government for selecting him to be a part of the N-Power initiative.
Benjamin promised to use his wealth of experience to better his life and other youths in the society, saying the FG has by the training, taken him out of the street and put food on his table.
“I actually paid money to learn scriptwriting two years ago and now that the Federal Government has given me the opportunity, I promise to use it well,” he said.
Another beneficiary, Miss Ebiere Thomas from Delta State expressed appreciation to the FG for the privilege given her to learn the software.
Thomas promised to train other youths, saying she has become a different person following the N-Power training she underwent in the camp.