Over 50 trainees graduate from AMPEF’s maiden edition of the vocational skill acquisition program.
…as AMPEF also plans to empower outstanding trainees with start-up capital.
By Onome Naomi
The Ambassadors of Peace and Enlightenment Foundation (AMPEF) trained over 50 participants in a 3-month vocational skill acquisition program where students in participation learned makeup artistry, kneading, handcrafts, wig making, and other skills for free. The outstanding graduating students of the various skills will be empowered with start-up capital to begin trade.
The vocational skill acquisition program as orchestrated by AMPEF is meant to help especially students and secondary school leavers be empowered financially in self-dependence as well as help their struggling parents cope with the responsibilities of educational expenses and general welfare.
The program, which took place in Ijegun, Lagos State, on Saturday, December 7th, 2024, had lots of activities and entertainment from happy graduands; they entertained the audience with various choreography, exhibitions, narration insights on their vocation of choice, and practical demonstrations of the vocational skill learnt. The master of ceremony, Emmanuel Iche, in expertise, cheered the audience with hilarious jokes powered by entertainment as AMPEF leadership also presented awards to dignitaries and appointed new patrons and matrons.
Dignitaries in attendance include Eze (Amb) Dr. Chika Nwokedi (Ezendigbo Ijegun Ijeododo, Chairman, Council of Ndieze Igbo Lagos), his wife, Pst. Mrs. Tessy Chika Nwokedi (Ugoeze of Ijegun Ijeododo, Founder, Fire, Grace and Mercy Restoration Ministry), HRM Nureni Alani Akinremi I, the oba of Ijegun (represented), Vice Chairman of Ndigbo Buru’Otu Association of Nigeria Chief Godwin Ogbuka and wife, Mrs. Ogbuka, Mr. Chinonso Emmanuel, and other executives of Ndigbo Buru’Otu Association of Nigeria; other dignitaries include Apostle Timothy Gbasha, Comrade Adeeko Olusegun (founder, Know Your Rights for Justice), and Comrade Ikechukwu (vice president, AMPEF).
Speaking with the founder of AMPEF, Comrade Prince Saviour Iche, he revealed to press men that the initiative to empower the youths with skill acquisition came to him as an inspiration, having watched how other children from advanced countries learn skills from their tender ages in a bid to promote self-independence and a quick discovery of their area of specialization.
He noted that in Nigeria, the realization of appreciating skill acquisition (vocation) and not only theoretical teachings will go a long way in shaping a child’s ability, promote self-independence, technological know-how, and entrepreneurship from primary to university level. More so, white-collar jobs will not be the most sought after if the kids embrace vocational learning; they can also cater for their aging parents financially.
Iche expressed satisfaction over the graduating students’ commitment and enthusiasm towards learning. He said initially over 150 students were screened, but 50 of them qualified for the training because AMPEF does not have the capacity to empower the 150 applicants. The 50 participants were chosen based on some certain criteria and were catered for by the organization. He said AMPEF solicits the government’s support to enable the organization accommodate a larger number of interested persons, says the kids are not lazy; all they need is opportunities such as this to harness their potentials.
The Special Guest of Honor, Eze (Amb) Dr. Chika C. Nwokedi, Ezendigbo Ijegun Ijeododo, and Patron of AMPEF, expressed positive views over the initiative of AMPEF to train the young ones to be enterprising. He said the foundation’s mission to cater for the less privileged by giving them a comfortable environment as home is an applaudable effort, as this shows genuity of purpose. Congratulates the graduating students as he implores them to ensure the continuity of vocational skills learned and be successful, pledges support.
Comrade Ikechukwu, the vice president of AMPEF, says the skill acquisition program is about helping the masses and less privileged. Noted that AMPEF has given a voice to the hopeless by helping the children do something lucrative with their holidays, it is paramount that we catch them young to avoid breeding nuisance in the society, he said.
Comrade Ikechukwu further stated that the churches and mosques have a role to play; the need to engage the young ones with entrepreneurship programs to create a better society is sacrosanct. He also called on the wealthy in the society, says all the aforementioned need to put their heads together to sponsor the children on skill acquisition to promote continuity in the growth and development. To encourage the young ones in making an effort to succeed via skill acquisition, they will be needing equipment so that they can earn from what they have learnt, he added.
Awardees at the event include the Oba of Ijegun, HRM Oba Nureni Alani Akinremi; Pst. Tessy Chika Nwokedi, Ugoeze of Ijegun Ijeododo, who is the presiding pastor of Fire Grace and Mercy Restoration Ministry Ijegun (was also appointed as AMPEF matron); Chief Godwin Ogbuka (Chairman of the occasion); Chinonso Emmanuel (also appointed as patron of AMPEF); Rev. Dr. Moses Okwuosa; Chukwuebuka Nwagu; Comrade James; Comrade Olusegun Adeeko of KnoRights and others…
Pst Tessy Chika Nwokedi appreciated the awards as she pledged to be a useful tool in enhancing the vision and mission of AMPEF by advisory contributions and participation in their advancement plans. Other awardees also expressed appreciation and promised to show support when needed.
The coordinator of the skill acquisition program, Mrs. Mary Cynthia, is gratified by the outcome of the skill acquisition program. She mentioned that the challenges faced during the program are the unavailability of adequate resources in getting raw materials needed for practicals. This was resolved due to the zeal invested in ensuring a safe landing for the trainees. The mission of the skill acquisition program is to imbibe knowledge unto the youths to curb joblessness after finishing tertiary education, she said.
Dignitaries at the event commended the graduating trainees for the effort put into learning to get a desired outcome. They especially expressed liking for the needing vocation and advised the AMPEF training coordinators to add more courses for trainees to enable varieties and preferences.
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