Barth Ndubuwah, Ijeh Ekpowaji, Port Harcourt
No fewer than one hundred and thirty five persons from Andoni-Opobo/Nkoro Federal Constituency in Rivers State have been trained in various skills, courtesy of member representing the Constituency at the House of Representives,Hon Awaji-Inombek Abiante,in collaboration with the National Research Institute For Chemical Technology, Zaria.
The beneficiaries were trained on skills ranging from paint production, making of body creams,dettol,relaxer,car washer and air-refreshner, among others.
Addressing the beneficiaries during the graduation ceremony at Ngo,the Headquarters of Andoni Local Governnment Area over the weekend, Hon. Abiante said he would ever remain grateful to his constituents for their support that gave him the mandate to be at the National Assembly.
He emphasized that no amount of money given to them will be enough, noting that it is more sustainable to give them skills that will empower them for life.
He appealed to the council chairmen to back the scheme with legislation to further legitimise it.
The lawmaker assured his people that he will continue to represent their interest at the National Assembly and attract Constituency projects, training and empowerment to them. He advised that the scheme must remain competitive and qualitative.
“My duty to you is to attract training/empowerment from the federal government. But the scheme must be competitive and qualitative. Contractors must equally be of high standard.
“The gesture is the only way to thank you for your support. So consider yourself lucky to be selected for this training. Please make judicious use of the starter packs given to you,” Abiante said.
He appealed to the chairmen to always give opportunity to graduates of the skill acquisition programme, especially in painting, if there is any project to be carried out at the local government areas.
In his remarks at the event, the Andoni Council Chairman,Barr Erastus Awortu thanked the lawmaker for the kind gesture, noting that he has set a pace that will be difficult to equal or beat.
He urged the beneficiaries to be appreciative and pointed out that the best way to express that gratitude is for them to use the skills to their benefits and the people at large.
“We as a council we will continue to appreciate the lawmaker. I know that in the course of applying the skills, you will create jobs for our people. So the Honourable has done noble by training you on skills, which is human capacity building. So you should stand tall and continue to support the honourable in his political career,” Awortu said.
He warned the beneficiaries to abstain from ‘yahoo business’ that will not do them any good and prayed for the lawmaker to continue to succeed in his political career, noting that he has set a standard that will challenge subsequent public office holders in the area.
In a chat with some of the beneficiaries, they expressed happiness for the gesture and thanked the lawmaker for the opportunity given to them to acquire such skills.
They promised not to let him down.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Joy Dappa, Newman Emmanuel, Philip Sonye and Edna Zebedee said they would remain grateful to Hon Abiante, appealing to him to further assist them with funds to enable them set up their businesses.
On their part, the facilitators or trainers, Alabi Odejimi and Onyinyechi Esther lauded the commitment of the trainees while the training lasted and assured of the standard of knowledge impacted on the beneficiaries. They also commended the lawmaker for his goodwill in initiating the scheme.
Highlight of the programme was presentation of certificates, laptops and stipends to the graduands.