By Wakirike Herald Staff

The Okrika Local Government Council has launched a comprehensive skills acquisition programme aimed at equipping youths and women with practical vocational and entrepreneurial skills for self-reliance and sustainable livelihoods.

The initiative forms part of the Council’s renewed efforts to reduce unemployment, promote entrepreneurship and stimulate grassroots economic growth through targeted human capital development.

Participants were drawn from communities across Okrika Local Government Area, reflecting the administration’s commitment to expanding access to economic opportunities and building a more productive local workforce.

Speaking at the flag-off ceremony, the Chairman of Okrika Local Government Area, Chief Hon. Akuro Alfred Tobin, described the programme as a strategic investment in the future of Okrika.

He said empowering young people and women with employable skills remains one of the most effective ways of addressing unemployment, poverty and social challenges within the community.

According to the Chairman, the programme will provide beneficiaries with practical knowledge and competencies that can help them become self-employed, establish small and medium-sized enterprises, support their families and contribute meaningfully to the socio-economic development of their communities.

“Our goal is to empower our people with skills that will create opportunities for financial independence. We want our youths and women to become employers of labour rather than job seekers,” he said.

Beyond Vocational Training

The Council explained that the initiative would go beyond the teaching of vocational trades.

Participants are also expected to receive instruction in entrepreneurship, business management and other essential skills required to establish, manage and sustain successful enterprises in an increasingly competitive economy.

The programme is expected to cover several vocational areas, including fashion design, catering, hairdressing, cosmetology, welding, electrical installation, bead making and other trades, depending on participants’ interests and the resources available.

By combining practical training with entrepreneurial development, the Council hopes to give beneficiaries not only the ability to produce goods and services, but also the knowledge required to turn those skills into viable businesses.

Stakeholders Welcome Initiative

Stakeholders at the flag-off ceremony commended the Council for prioritising vocational education and capacity building, describing the programme as a timely intervention amid growing concerns over youth unemployment and limited access to formal employment opportunities.

Some beneficiaries also expressed appreciation to the Council for providing them with an opportunity to acquire practical skills capable of improving their livelihoods.

They pledged to take full advantage of the training and use the knowledge gained to establish businesses, support their households and potentially create employment opportunities for others.

Building a More Resilient Local Economy

Skills acquisition remains an important pathway to economic empowerment, particularly in communities where formal employment opportunities are limited.

Investment in vocational education can help improve household incomes, reduce dependence on scarce white-collar jobs, encourage local production and stimulate the growth of small businesses.

The programme aligns with the Council’s broader development vision of improving residents’ living standards through initiatives that promote productivity, innovation, entrepreneurship and inclusive economic growth.

In recent months, the Okrika Local Government Council has continued to implement people-centred programmes focused on empowerment, community development and capacity building. The latest initiative is expected to further strengthen efforts to develop a skilled and economically resilient population.

The training is scheduled to run for several weeks. Successful participants may receive certificates and, where applicable, starter packs to help them begin their chosen vocations.

With the programme now underway, residents say Okrika is taking another important step towards developing a skilled workforce, supporting entrepreneurship and building an economy in which more youths and women can create opportunities for themselves and others.

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Wakirike Herald
The Voice of Wakirike People Everywhere