_PRINCE OBI OHIA FLAGS-OFF THE ENTREPRENEURSHIP,TRADES AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME OF SIR ALLWELL IHUNDA JP_
Rivers State Commissioner of Youth Development,Hon Prince Obi Ohia has flagged-off the Entrepreneurship,trades and skills development programme initiated by Sir Allwell Ihunda JP,Mayor Of Port Harcourt City Local Government Area.
This programme which is aimed at empowering over five thousand youths across Port Harcourt City Local Government Area,is targeted at making them more economically self reliant.
Flagging off the programme in the city council hall,the Commissioner of Youth Development Hon Prince Obi Ohia said he believes that Sir Allwell Ihunda’s thrust for job creation is centred on Entrepreneurship development programme which is anchored on skills training and engaging the youths in productive enterprise which will ultimately make them leaders that will promote the peace and security of our society tomorrow.
” Today we are here to flag-off the Port Harcourt City Local Government Council trades and skills development programme conceived by the Mayor.The world is gradually taken over by Entrepreneurs that are creating employments for people,I thank the Mayor for conceiving the idea of this programme and bringing it to fruition,at the same time fulfilling his campaign promises to the people of Port Harcourt City.
Prince Obi Ohia added that the idea of training five thousand youths in various skills in the duration of the programme simply means that not less than ten thousand employments will be generated after the programme.
He appreciated the Mayor for launching the programme on a unique day,Youth day 2021.
In his address, Mayor Of Port Harcourt City Local Government Area,Sir Allwell Ihunda JP said his administration has always worked from the premise that the way out of the present unemployment quagmire is to equip the youths with technical know-how, vocational skills,values and resources to make them employable and employers of labour.
“During my campaigns as Chairman of Port Harcourt City Local Government Area,I promised to improve the economic well being of our people through an initiative in social and economic empowerment.
I am delighted that we have gathered here to flag-off this programme barely six weeks since I resumed duties as Mayor Of Port Harcourt City”,Sir Allwell Ihunda said.
“Tremendous amounts of thoughts and planning have gone into this programme which is kick starting today.I believe that this trades and skills development programme is needed to redirect the minds of our youths from being despondent job seekers to becoming self employed youths who can stop worrying about how their next meal will come”,the Mayor stated.
Sir Allwell Ihunda said Arthurson Business Support Services has been engaged as consultants for the programme and some of the various skills to be considered in the first phase of the programme includes catering and confectionery,ICT, facial makeover, photography,Gele crafts,Hat and fascinator making.
Amongst other group of skills based training will include cosmetology,hair dressing, fashion designing, pedicure and manicure.
The Mayor said asides the starter packs that will be given to the beneficiaries at the end of the programme also, periodic grants will be given to beneficiaries who have performed creditably in their businesses.
Introducing the programme, Chairman of the Empowerment and Entrepreneurship Committee of the council,Dr Ezebunwo Nyeche ACIPM,said the programme was initiated by the Mayor to alleviate the sufferings of the people.
He said one of the ways to tackle poverty is by empowering people through skills acquisitions to make them employable and employers of labour.
He added that the programme is targeted at training five thousand youths in various skills.
For the pilot scheme,two hundred youths will be trained,the council will give them starter packs to enable them start up their own businesses.
Consultant for the programme Arthurson Business Support Services Ltd represented by the Managing Director Mr Arthur Kalagbor, said they are pleased to be associated with the programme.
“We appreciate you for considering us fit to be your consultant,we promise to deliver on the mandate given to us as we have designed this programme to succeed.
We will monitor the trainees as they go through this programme to ensure that once this is over,we will be able to send a new batch of young and innovative Entrepreneurs into various communities across the local Government Area”,Mr Arthur Kalagbor said.
In a goodwill message,representative of the Commissioner of Local Government Affairs,Rivers State, Warisenibo Rutherford Longjohn,Dame Awani who is the permanent secretary of the ministry, lauded Sir Allwell Ihunda for his investment in human capital development of the Local Government Area.
She appealed to the beneficiaries to reciprocate the Mayor’s commitment to their progress and welfare, through focus and diligence.
Council Secretary,Barr Chile Kay Owuru in his welcome remarks,said the programme was established to grow the local economy through Entrepreneurship Development.
Head of Personnel Management Mrs Helen Chiorlu, thanked the dignitaries for finding time to turn up and support the Mayor flag-off the Empowerment and Entrepreneurship programme of the council.
She urged the trainees to grab the opportunity with both hands as their training fees have been paid in full by the Mayor Of Port Harcourt City, Sir Allwell Ihunda JP.
Some important dignitaries that joined the Mayor and the Special Guest, Hon Prince Obi Ohia to flag-off the programme includes;
The member representing Port Harcourt State Constituency III in the Rivers State House Of Assembly Hon Azeru Opara also,The Member Representing Eleme State Constituency in the Assembly who doubles as the Chairman Rivers State House Of Assembly committee on Youth Development Hon Igwe Aforji,Commissioner For chieftaincy and community affairs in Rivers State Sir Sam Soni Ejekwu,Rector Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic Dr Sam Kalagbor, Chairman Of the PDP in Port Harcourt City Local Government Area Hon Solomon Ejike Ogbonna, Deputy Mayor Of Port Harcourt City Local Government Area M’s Tamunotonye Douglas,Former Member Rivers State House Of Assembly Hon Jones Ogbonda,Member Rivers State Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Agency Chief Ogbams Ojimah,Former Chairman Caretaker Committee PHALGA Hon Prince Orukwem Amadi Oparaeli,Former Special Assistant to the Governor Of Rivers State on poverty alleviation Hon Chimeka Nmerukini,Immediate past Deputy Mayor of Port Harcourt Mrs Marian Fiberesima, Representative of the Port Harcourt city council of chiefs Eze Nworgu Okabie, Immediate past Chairman of the PDP in Port Harcourt City Local Government Area Hon Ikechi Chinda amongst others.
Also,the leader of the Phalga Legislative Assembly, Hon Hanachor Noble Orlu led other councillors of the Local Government Council to the ceremony.
Supervisors of the Local Government,Special Advisers,Departmental heads, Senior Special Assistants, Special Assistants,and other retinue of aides witnessed the ceremony.
Signed
Bob Abayomi
(Chief Press Secretary PHALGA)
12th August 2021
