In an effort to eradicate poverty and hunger in the state through the training and empowerment of over 40 thousand youths and women annually, the Enugu State Government has successfully trained and graduated over 3000 people on different skills, including food processing, food packaging and food preservation for local markets as well as export purposes.
This was even as the Ministry of Human Development and Poverty Eradication disclosed that it had concluded plans to empower more residents of the state on several business skills that would enable them earn a living and support their families.
Speaking during the graduation ceremony held recently at the Enugu State Science, Technical and Vocational Schools Management Board Center at Independence Layout, Enugu, the Commissioner for Human Development and Poverty Eradication, Dr. Malachy Agbo, explained that the State Governor, Dr Peter Mbah, had during his campaign, promised to eradicate poverty in the state by 2031, adding that the training was a follow-up to the bigger programme of the administration to empower the people with life-changing skills and strategies to raising their standard of living.
According to him, the training which would come in phases, will include accessing information, skills training and online marketing that will assist participants to harness, process and package the state agricultural products within local markets and for export earnings.
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, Dr 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.
