The Wife of the Governor of Anambra State and founder of Caring Family Enhancement Initiative (CAFE), Her Excellency, Dr. (Mrs.) Ebelechukwu Obiano (Osodieme), has inspired over two hundred select undergraduates from higher institutions across Anambra State on vital steps to take towards entrepreneurship.
Mrs. Obiano made the charge on Wednesday while speaking to the students at the ongoing Fidelity Youth Entrepreneurship Academy/CAFE Skills Training Programme at Chike Okoli Centre, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State.
The wife of the governor, whose CAFE is collaborating with Fidelity Academy on the programme, told the students to maximize the opportunity to learn something new since the days of white collar job is virtually over.
According to her, “No knowledge is lost, and one can always learn something new to add greater value to lives. You can also offer useful services that can enable you make a profitable living after graduation. Having seen you do practical work in class, I can attest to the transformational impact of what you are doing. As you go back to your respective schools, you can start demonstrating what you have learnt here and you will surely see people who will patronize you. In fact, you can within a short time even assist your parents by paying your fees from the gains you make.”
Osodieme said that her NGO has within five years trained over 4,800 women, indigent widows and youths in various skills and empowered them with start-up capital, nothing that the feedback from previous participants in the Skills training show that many are doing well in their chosen trade and urged the current students to make her proud.
She also commended the effort and commitment of Anambra State Government to the security of lives and property which has allowed investments to thrive. She urged the students to maximally take advantage of the security the State Government guarantees by effectively deploying their new skills as ambitious young entrepreneurs with great prospects of becoming successful employers of labour tomorrow.
The Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration) of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Prof. Mrs. Carol Arinze Umobi, on behalf of the Vice Chancellor, said that the partnership between Fidelity and CAFE has brought good tidings to the institution which the school will cherish for a long time to come.
She commended the Government of Anambra State for continued assistance to the institution, and Mrs. Obiano for extending the gesture through this training.
The Commissioner for Youth Entrepreneurship and Creative Economy, Mr. Afam Mbanefo, commended the training and Empowerment Programme which he believes will equip the students with one profitable skill on graduation. He noted that the programme is a reflection of the programmes of Obiano administration which target the building of empowered smart youths who will make indelible contributions to the progress of Anambra State.
On his part, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Manager, Fidelity Bank Plc, Mr. Chris Nnakwe, said that Fidelity CRS long term goal is to carve a niche in all higher institutions in Nigeria. He explained that this is the 6th edition of the Fidelity Academy training and that the current students are being trained in Coding, Confectionaries, Embellishments, Tailoring & Fashion and Makeup; and noted that the training would not have been possible without the wonderful assistance and cooperation of Her Excellency, Dr. Mrs. Obiano and her NGO, CAFE.
The Director of Chike Okoli Entrepreneurship Centre, Prof. Ngozi Ijeoma, thanked the wife of the Governor for empowering the students, and prayed that God will reward her. She assured her that the centre is well equipped to handle training in various skills, stressing that the students have made tremendous progress in one week and will come back to specialize.
The institutions participating in the programme which is the sixth year of the entrepreneurship training include Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Nwafor Orizu College of Education, Nsugbe, Anambra State Polytechnic, Mgbakwu and Federal College of Education Technical, Umunze.
Credit: Emeka Ozumba
Send your news, press releases/articles to augustinenwadinamuo@yahoo.com. Also, follow us on Twitter @ptreporters and on Facebook on facebook.com/primetimereporters or call the editor on 07030661526, 08053908817.
