The Country Director, ActionAid Nigeria, Ene Obi, has disclosed that the organisation has trained and empowered no fewer than 2000 youths, comprising returned and potential migrants, in three years in Edo State.
Ebi, who was represented by ActionAid programme director, Hajiya Suwaiba Muhammed Dankabo, disclosed this in Benin during the closeout of the Migration II Project and presentation of a starter pack for the beneficiaries of its empowerment scheme, titled “Dare to Hope” in partnership with Ideal Development and Resource Centre and Kairos Youth Empowerment Initiatives.
The body distributed 36 industrial sewing machines, seven generators, two hairdressing sets, and three DI machines, amongst others, on Friday at the Festival Hall, Edo State Government House.
The project is funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation and implemented by ActionAid Italy and ActionAid Nigeria.
She said, “We have empowered a total of 2000 youths, comprising 500 returnee migrants and 1,500 potential migrants, with vocational and technical skills in fashion and hair styling, poultry, fishery, aluminium fabrication, graphic design, catering shoe and bag production cosmetology, and bead making.
“The project, which started in 2019, was designed to create alternatives to irregular migration through socio-economic empowerment of Youths between the ages of 18 and 35,” she added.
She said that the project was being implemented at Auchi in Etsako West, Uromi in Esan Central, and Benin in Oredo Local Governments of Edo State in conjunction with local partners.
She said aside from equipping the beneficiaries with viable skills, they also provide them with the necessary resources to start their business through the formation of cooperative societies, business spaces and start-up capital enabling them to embark on their entrepreneurial journey.
Ebi commended the Edo State government, the office of the Edo First Lady, and local partners for their support and contributions throughout the implementation of the project in the state.
She charged the beneficiaries to utilise the skills and facilities received positively to be self-employed and employers of labour
On her part, Chioma Eze, ActionAid Migration Project II Coordinator, said the event marked the closing of the training empowerment scheme, which began in 2019 in Edo.
She said, “We are summing up all that we have done and achieved working with different partners and stakeholders, ensuring that what we have provided for the beneficiaries is sustained through partnership and linkages to MSME in the state.
“With training, the beneficiaries would be able to utilise the facilities provided by ActionAid to become financially stable, building resilience to irregular migration and taking them out of their vulnerable situation.
“To ensure that the beneficiaries succeed, we group them into 100 cooperatives and support them with N650,000 grant, starter pack, and also provide a business space for them to carry out their businesses,” she added.
