The member representing Enugu North and South Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Chimaobi Atu, has said that the only way Nigeria can tackle the insecurity in the country is through massive training and empowerment of the young population.
Hon. Atu who stated this on Tuesday in Enugu at the opening ceremony of training and empowerment program for SS2/SS3 students and recent school graduates from his constituency, added that the 150 successful students will receive all the necessary support needed after the five days intensive training in the production and marketing of chemical products.
The lawmaker while expressing worry about the army of unemployed youths in the country, stressed that any serious nation will be focused on training the youths “who are the future of this great country,” and “constitute a larger part of our work force.”
Citing the disturbing figure of unemployed youths from KPMG and NBC, the lawmaker added that; “As a security expert and a member of the Defence committee at the National Assembly, I can confidently tell you that crime rate will continue to rise in this country except we decide to train and empower our young population. When our young ones are not equipped with skills, they will certainly become a tool in the hands of crime promoters. Make no mistakes, there is a strong relationship between lack of skills and crime. Some of these criminal elements were recruited because they were not busy with anything. If you are busy, nobody can talk you into crime. This explains why I have continued to invest in education and training.
I want to urge all of you to take this 5 days training and empowerment programme seriously. Trust me, a lot of resources went into this event. Don’t see it as an ordinary programme by a politician. No! See it as a golden opportunity to become a successful entrepreneur. See it as a God given opportunity to become an employer of labour. As a trained chemist, I know what chemical products production and marketing can bring to the table. Soap, detergents and germicides are things that people use every day. As young people, use this opportunity to create wealth while still in school. I can tell you for free that someone who is serious with soap making and distribution can make more money than many civil servants
Reiterating his firm belief in the training and empowerment of the young population, Atu said he has released funds to his Education Board to enroll 50 exceptional pupils in Unity Schools entrance exams in addition to the over 100 students SS3 students drawn from 25 public schools, adding that his “foundation will also award WAEC scholarship to 1200 SS3 students in August this year. The details of the scholarship exam will be communicated in three weeks. Therefore, all the SS2 students here should get ready. Let me also add that another set of 100 young people will be trained on renewable energy next month. We are on the move to change the story. Please join me.”
Speaking earlier at the event, the coordinating partner of the programme and the MD/CEO of Synergy Fields Engr. Chris Ugwu told the beneficiaries that Hon. Atu is presenting them “with an opportunity to become a competitor to the manufacturers of household items used for cleaning in Nigeria.”
Engr. Ugwu charged them to open their mind to the opportunity to learn and maximise the opportunity the training will avail them as they could become great entrepreneurs in the nearest future and make a name for themselves.
Similarly, the chief Resource Person for the training, Dr. Mrs Clara Ogbebor who is also the HOD of Chemical Science Department and Director of Industrial Training, Glorious Vision University, Edo State, assured the beneficiaries that they’ll come out better if they pay rapt attention.
She added that many young people she had trained have become employers of labour and urged the trainees to take the programme seriously.
In his goodwill message, His Royal Highness Igwe Daniel Nnamani, the traditional ruler of Amechi Uno, Enugu South LGA who spoke on behalf of the traditional rulers, said “Hon. Atu is a gift to the constituency” as they’ve “never seen a thing like this in the area” and prayed to God to bless him and his team that’re working together to impact the lives of their people in this manner.
He says the lawmaker has always treated them with great regard and respect and urged him to continue doing the good he’s doing, while advising the beneficiaries to be serious with the training and make sure they learn the skills prepared for them.
Chukwuka Ngene, the PG of Akwuke Uwani in his goodwill message, thanked the lawmaker and all the organisers of the training.
“In my seven years as the PG of my community, this is the first of its kind. We’ve had several lawmakers in the past but non of them have come close to doing anything like this.
“To the beneficiaries, count yourself lucky and do everything withing your power to come out with a positive result after the training,” while praying to God to bless the lawmaker.
Some of the beneficiaries who spoke to our correspondent, expressed gratitude to the lawmaker and assured that they’ll maximise the opportunity presented to them through the training.
They also prayed to God to bless and keep the lawmaker who has made them his primary constituency, and assured him that his efforts won’t be in vain.
