A total of one thousand one hundred and sixty youths (1,160) have successfully completed an intensive 3-week Skills Acquisition Programme organized by the Office of the Deputy Governor of Rivers State in collaboration with the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Region 5.
Speaking during the graduation Ceremony at the Degema National College on Friday, 11th September 2020, the Deputy Governor Dr. Mrs. Ipalibo Harry Banigo said the gesture was a deliberate strategy to keep the youths gainfully engaged and reduce social vices in the society.
The Deputy Governor, who spoke through her Director of Administration Mr. Ben Roberts, said one of the main policy thrusts of the Governor Nyesom Ezewo Wike led Administration is to strategically empower the youths by creating opportunities for them to acquire relevant skills.
She said a similar programme was held at the old Degema province, comprising Asari Toru, Akuku Toru and Degema Local Government Areas last year, where over 3,500 youths benefitted, noting that the dividends of that training are obvious.
Dr. Banigo who disclosed that this training was a continuation of that vision expressed delight that ten (10) different vocations were captured in the programme, stressing that strategies have been put in place to ensure a follow-up of the participants from time to time, with a view of providing needed materials and equipment to them for sustainability.
The Deputy Governor expressed gratitude to the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Region 5, the facilitators, resource persons, participants and the people of the community for the success of the programme.
In his sermon drawn from James Chapter 1 verse 17 the Pastor in charge of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Region 5, Pastor Belemina Obunge said a gift is something that is handed over to a person without paying for it, stressing that every good gift is from God and when something is good it should overrule evil.
According to him the training they had received was from the Almighty God and advised them to ensure that they use the skills they have acquired to better their lives, while praying that every evil of idleness in their lives would be wiped away by the reason of this training.
Also speaking, the facilitator of the programme Mrs. Tamunoemi Obunge, who expressed gratitude to the Almighty God for making the programme a success, disclosed that talent development was added to give the programme a boost.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries Miss Inivom-Osuo Thomas, expressed gratitude to the organizers for empowering them with skills and promised to ensure that the skills acquired would be used to develop the society.
