The Enugu State Government says it has made significant strides in its efforts to alleviate poverty and hunger by training and empowering over 3,000 individuals, including youths and women, in various skills such as food processing, packaging, and preservation.
The government said this achievement was part of the state’s broader objective to train and empower over 40,000 individuals annually.
The Ministry of Human Development and Poverty Eradication has announced plans to further empower residents with essential business skills, enabling them to earn a sustainable living and support their families.
During a recent graduation ceremony held at the Enugu State Science, Technical, and Vocational Schools Management Board Center, Commissioner Dr. Malachy Agbo emphasized that the training program aligns with Governor Dr. Peter Mbah’s campaign promise to eradicate poverty in the state by 2031.
The programme aims to equip participants with life-changing skills and strategies to improve their standard of living.
The training, which will be conducted in phases, will cover accessing information, skills training, and online marketing to enable participants to harness, process, and package the state’s agricultural products for both local markets and export purposes.
Dr Agbo, who called on the participants not to take the seminar for granted, stressed that “The training will expand your knowledge and raise the bar of your income which will reflect on your purchasing power and standards of living.
“These important trainings are initiatives of the Governor Mbah administration. They are aimed at changing your economic status. However, the structure is significant because it’s set up to first change your attitude by teaching you how to work and make a living. It’s a sustainable measure that you will always carry the technical-know-how or the knowledge with you. With these trainings, it’s our hope that you can now do things differently.
“It is the goal of our administration not only to move our gross domestic product from $4.4 billion to $30 billion, but to also eradicate poverty from the state. The government is being intentional in working towards the target. In our first year in office, the administration of Governor Mbah was able to train and empower over fifty thousand residents, including farmers, artisans, youths and women on modern skills such as digital skills, financial technology, food processing and packaging skills, among others. We are glad that they are all doing well in their respective fields, and this year, we are doubling down on our achievements.”
The commissioner further emphasized that the training was designed to be strategic with international outlook because trainees were equipped to key into the efforts of the state government to activate the international wing and cargo section of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, which would soon become operational.
Although, Agbo said that the training programme would continue in phases, he admonished the beneficiaries to network and expand their business tentacles with a view to harnessing the full potential of the lucrative market.
