From Anthony Nwachukwu, Lagos
Inspired by the need to give the youth a gainful future and reduce unemployment and the attendant increase in crimes, two philanthropists,
Mr. John Durumba and Dr. Azubuike Erinugha, have kicked off skills acquisition training for about 2,000 youths from their community.
Durumba and Erinugha, who are based in the United States and Germany respectively, said they conceived the idea about two years ago to assist indigent community members and indirectly take children away from the streets, discourage drug addiction and make the country a better place to live in.
The project – Nchoke Skills Acquisition Initiative, was named after Nchoke Autonomous Community in Ideato South Council of Imo State, and it is expected to gulp about N50 million.
Speaking about the project, which was officially launched on January 2, 2024, Durumba said he designed the project in partnership with Erinugha, in view of the harsh socio-economic challenges confronting the country, especially youths.
He disclosed that though N50 million was the initial budget for the project, the figure could be increased if people of similar vision join in actualising the project. So far, about 25 youths have been selected for the take-off of the scheme.
Durumba noted that he was motivated by his experience in Europe and America, where the future of youths is planned by the respective country’s government.
“I was motivated by what I saw in some countries that I have lived in. In Germany, I saw how the youths are taken care of,” he said.
“I have also been in other parts of the Western world and have realised that the future of the youths is usually planned more than 25 years ahead.
“Even unborn children are considered in the governments’ plans. They have solid foundation for children so that their future would be secure.
“So, if we can adequately plan for our children and youths the way they do for theirs, our young ones will compete favourably with their peers across the world.
“I have seen our contributions in different parts of the world, helping to build the economy of those nations, but back home, due to inadequate planning, many of them indulge in one crime or the other.
“Rather than torture them, they should be engaged in skills towards a better future. If we fail to keep them busy, they will find something to keep themselves busy, which might be negative. So, there is no better time for the initiative than now.”
According to him, women were given priority in the selection of beneficiaries, and they have proven to be more focused and committed to achieving results.
Also speaking, Erinugha noted that the programme was initiated to help curb social vices by reducing unemployment rate among the youths of the community through equipping them with necessary skills to enable them contribute significantly to the overall growth and development of the area.
“Nchoke Skills Acquisition Initiative is a scheme to essentially create greater awareness on entrepreneurship and potential career opportunities for the participants.
“The mandate, therefore, is to recruit and register participants; organise hand-on sessions with the intent to expose them to skills and entrepreneurial opportunities.
“These skills are hopeful to build potential careers and other self-development tools towards youth empowerment.”
He added: “The initiative plans to continue providing skills acquisition opportunities for our youths.
“Apart from learning new skills that could help them set up future business models, the programme will definitely keep them focused, disciplined and form a solid distraction from crimes, vices and other destructive peer pressure influences.”
The sponsors disclosed that the beneficiaries would be presented with start-up tools on completion of their trainings to enable them take off seamlessly.
For the Keynote Speaker at the event, Chief Joachim Olumba, “there is nothing you can have that is more meaningful and enduring than a skill. It is as important as life.
“Even with your education, there is something missing that is monumental if you don’t have a skill. It is important that everyone should acquire skill for self-growth and survival.”
Some of the participants – Chidera Uzoma, Chioma Alinor, Chidinma Vincent, Deborah Opara and Daniel Duru, commended the organisers for the gesture and promised to work hard towards upholding the goals and objectives of the initiative.
At the launch of the initiative were the monarch of the community, Eze Christopher Obieshi, President-General, Ncheko Community, Mr. Tony Duruzo, and chairman of the occasion, Chief Fidelity Ezewike, among others.
