By Kemi Akintokun
Ms Titilolami Bello, the Founder of Path to Possibilities, a UK-registered Charity Organisation, has called for more investment in education and vocational training to equip young Nigerians with practical skills.
Bello made the call during the 10 years anniversary and graduation ceremony of beneficiaries of the organisation’s tailoring programme at its resource centre at Ikota in Ajah on Sunday.
She said that such investment would reduce the growing number of out-of-school children in the country, noting that the country topped the chart of Nations with the highest out-of-school children.
“We need to diversify education through vocational training and practical skills to engage more out of school children.
“Government at all levels in the country must commit more funds to enhance education and vocational skills development,” she said
She said the organisation was founded in 2009, while its community resource centre was established in 2016 to provide access to books, computer training, and vocational education for underserved children and youths.
According to her, the centre operates a library and computer laboratory with free internet access and full-time instructors who teach children basic digital skills and computer literacy.
“Many schools within the community lack computer laboratories, they depend on the centre to expose their pupils to practical computer education through scheduled visits.
“The resource centre also serves as a safe space where vulnerable girls could obtain sanitary products and other essential support without discrimination.
“We also organise workshops on CV writing and interview skills so that young people can compete confidently for employment opportunities,” she said.
According to her, Path to Possibilities introduced tailoring training in 2025 to equip out-of-school youths and secondary school graduates with employable skills and improve their economic opportunities.
” We are happy to graduate the first set of students, five in number from the tuition free 12 months training on tailoring,” she said.
Bello identified poor electricity supply as the organisation’s major challenge, adding that plans were already on to install a solar power system to ensure uninterrupted learning activities and reduce operating costs.
According to Bello, thousands of children have benefited from computer literacy, digital drawing, vocational training and access to sanitary pads provided through partnerships with supporters and charitable organisations.
Bello commended the organisation partners for supporting the centre through donations, training programmes and other interventions that had strengthened its impact on the community.
She also appealed to established fashion designers to provide apprenticeship opportunities for graduates of the tailoring programme to enable them acquire advanced skills and build sustainable careers.
Bello noted that tackling youth unemployment and educational challenges required government and private collaboration to develop the country’s human capital.
Speaking also, Ms Funmilola Akanmu, a Trustee and Director at the organisation, said that the organisation was established to impact communities by providing educational opportunities for underprivileged children.
Akanmu said the organisation began by sponsoring six years of secondary school education for children selected through an assessment programme conducted by the charity..
According to her, the organisation has sponsored no fewer than 20 students through secondary school and hopes to sponsor additional children during the current year.
“Path to Possibilities covers the school fees, uniforms, books and every educational requirement of these students for six years without any financial contribution from their parents.
“Some of the children are orphans and children from single-parent families unable to afford secondary school education and those from underprivileged background,” she said.
The director disclosed that the organisation’s resource centre accommodated 500 children daily, who visit to read books, participate in reading programmes and learn computer skills.
According to her, the centre also operates scheduled visits from schools around Ikota who bring their pupils to the library at designated periods for reading and learning sessions.
Akanmu, however, expressed hope that improved funding and stronger support for state schools would improve access to secondary education for more children in the state and country at large.
One of the beneficiaries, Jimoh Orilowo said he was delighted at the opportunity given to him by the charity to learn tailoring.
Orilowo, who has one hand, noted that the experience at first was challenging for him due to his disability but was able to overcome it due to encouragement and support from his tutor and people at the charity.
“I am grateful to Path to Possibilities for seeing ability in my disability through the opportunity they gave me, I can cut and sew even with the one hand,” he said.
Another beneficiary, Destiny Godwin, commended the charity for supporting her and others throughout the learning period.
“I am girl raised by a single parent; this opportunity means a lot to me and I intend to further my education and enhance my tailoring skills alongside,” she said.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the beneficiaries were presented with free sewing machines and certificates. (NAN)
Edited by Vivian Ihechu