An aphorism says “A journey of a thousand miles start with a step”. This wise saying aptly describes the second edition of the Youth Empowerment and Skills Acquisition Programme (YESAP) which is adjudged to be a success paving way for graduating students to begin a journey to financial prosperity.
Graduates of the scheme who were co-trained by Accord for Community Development were trained in 5 vocational areas which include: Welding and Fabrication, Fashion and Designing/Hair Dressing, Catering, Information and Communication Technology and Interlocking/Masonry/Block Molding/Carpentry.
Accord for Community Development as Social Enterprise that co-trained the beneficiaries which was bankrolled by the Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC) which is a subsidiary of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation successfully coordinated the programme with collaboration with other stakeholders which saw graduates being presented with starter packs in their respective skills areas. Some of the items presented include: computers, Generating sets, Printers, Deep Freezers, Gas cookers and a host of others.
In his welcome Address, Mr. Shehu Malami the Managing Director of PHRC notes that the graduating students will “…begin to put their skills that they have acquired to use to provide for their, contribute to the economic growth of their communities and boost our nation’s economy” even as he applauded the cooperation of Eleme and Okrika who are the host communities.
Accord a major player in Community Development work in the Niger Delta is known for poverty alleviation schemes of this kind. Mr. Andy Ogbuigwe the Executive Director of Accord was on ground to witness the graduating ceremony that held at PHRC premises in Port Harcourt. Other dignitaries at the event include HRM King E.T. Obudibo Ikwo IV who is the king of Amanyanabo of Ogoloma Okrika, the King of Eleme was represented by the Duke of the Community, Top Management staff of PHRC led by Shehu Malami, the Managing Director, Representative of the National Directorate of Employment (NDE), Members of Staff of Accord for Development and others.
It will be recalled that the training was for 6 months and plans are underway to commence the 3rd Edition of the Scheme.
