DEPOWA empowers 102 barracks youths with skills
By Sumaila Ogbaje
The Defence and Police Officers Wives Association (DEPOWA), on Wednesday, graduated 102 barracks youths from its Skills Acquisition Centre as part of its empowerment programmes for the vulnerable in the society.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the association graduated three batches of trainees nominated by the various officers wives associations under defence.
The trainees were taught on various aspects of skills such as catering services, fashion designing, hair making/gele tying, bag making, computer appreciation, barbing and household items production.
The President of DEPOWA, Mrs Oghogho Musa, said the graduation was an affirmation of DEPOWA’s well-known passion and commitment towards empowering the women, youths and other vulnerable members of the barracks and beyond.
Musa said it was in line with her vision of “Seeing Women and Girls Become Productive and Contributors to Family and Society Driven by Deep Sense of Values and Hard-working Spirit”.
She said the trainees were inaugurated on the Oct. 9, 2023 with 106 beneficiaries comprising 84 women and 22 men.
According to her, each of the participant’s training was fully funded by DEPOWA and all of them were provided with essential basic training materials and placed on monthly stipends of N10,000 to cater for their logistics and personal needs.
“It is also noteworthy that in spite of the limited funds at our disposal, we had to undertake a thorough renovation of the Centre and provided it with new equipment to ensure conducive learning environment prior to commencement of the training.
“This was necessary in view of the fact that all the departments of the Centre were in a deplorable state and with obsolete facilities.
“Permit me to further inform you that Batches 14, 15 and 16 of 2023 trainees who are graduating today were nominated from the various sister-associations under DEPOWA.
“Considerations were, however, given to wives of fallen heroes and vulnerable youths within and outside the barrack community.
“They were exposed to intensive trainings based on the reviewed training curriculum of the Centre.
“The curriculum review was necessitated by the need to ensure that our trainees were adequately equipped with the right knowledge and contemporary skills to enable them have comparative advantage with their counterparts when they leave this centre,” she said.
DEPOWA president expressed confidence that the graduating trainees had all acquired requisite skills in their chosen areas of endeavor.
According to her, the training will guarantee them self-sustenance, assist their families in the nearest future and ultimately become useful members of the society.
She thanked the service chiefs and all the senior officers who contributed to the success of the skills acquisition trainings and all other DEPOWA endeavors.
Mrs Musa urged the trainees to make sure that they fully and responsibly utilise every opportunity that comes their way as well as being bold, brave, disciplined and continue to improve upon the crafts they have learnt from the centre.
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, said the graduation marked a significant milestone in the lives of the beneficiaries, saying they stand on the threshold of a new chapter filled with opportunities and possibilities.
Musa commended the graduating trainees for their hard work, dedication and perseverance, adding that the graduation was a testament to their commitment to personal and professional growth.
He also commended the president of DEPOWA and wives of service chiefs and the Inspector General of Police for their determination to assist the wives of fallen heroes and the vulnerable in the barrack community and beyond.
He lauded DEPOWA for nurturing talents and fostering a conducive learning environment that has played a pivotal role in shaping the future leaders and innovators.
The CDS enjoined the trainees to embrace the journey ahead with courage, passion and resilience.
In her remarks, the First President of DEPOWA, Mrs Esther Bali, expressed delight with the progress so far made by the successive leadership of DEPOWA and their commitment to its vision.
Bali congratulated the trainees for successfully passing through the training and urged them to utilize the knowledge acquired for the betterment of the future
She said that while academic qualifications were important, it would be sufficient to complement them with diverse set skills.
She said the combination would enable individuals to successfully navigate the job market as both jobs seekers and successful independent entrepreneurs in respective skills.
According to her, the solution of unemployment and empowerment lies in entrepreneurship and self-made business through skills acquisition. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Benson Iziama/Isaac Aregbesola
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