The Ezeagu in Diaspora International Association has empowered 267 youths in Enugu with vocational and digital skills, providing N13.5 million in start-up packages to help them establish businesses.
The President of the association, Chief Johnmary Anagolu, disclosed this on Sunday during the empowerment and graduation ceremony in Enugu.
Anagolu said the beneficiaries underwent six months of training in about 20 vocational and digital skills, including catering, baking, fashion and design, ICT, web development, solar power installation, CCTV installation, modern farming, shoe and bag making, barbing and content creation.
He said the programme was part of the association’s N100 million youth empowerment project aimed at equipping young people with practical skills for self-reliance and job creation.
According to him, more than 1,200 youths registered within 48 hours of the programme’s announcement, while the first batch had more than 500 participants. He said 267 eventually graduated after completing practical examinations and meeting certification requirements.
Anagolu said more than N33 million was spent on the training, while N13.5 million was provided as start-up support for the graduates.
He appealed to the Enugu State Government to support the second batch and expressed the association’s determination to make the programme an annual initiative.
Representing Gov. Peter Mbah, the Special Adviser on Diaspora Matters, Mrs Olangwa Ezukwu, commended the quality of products and services displayed by the graduates and pledged continued government support for the initiative.
The Chairman of the occasion, Dr Nnamdi Ozor, described the programme as an important investment in the local economy, while one of the beneficiaries, Chiamaka Ude, thanked the association for giving her the opportunity to acquire baking skills and pursue her dream of owning a business.
