The Senator Representing Abia Central Senatorial district at National Assembly, Senator Austin Akobundu, has urged youths to embrace skills that would move them from job seekers to employers of labour, because it is the most effective way for Nigerian economy to join the league of advanced economies of the world.

Senator Akobundu who spoke during the presentation certificates and cash gifts to over 150 Abia Central youths after their 5-day training/empowerment programme on Paint-making technology and Cosmetology, in Umuahia, explained that his goal is to help the youths become job creators, not just job seekers.

Speaking to the graduands of the training held at the Kolping Society of Nigeria conference, in Umuahia, He said, “Some of you are educated up to university level, that’s fine; but the most important thing is for you to acquire a skill that would create for you and by extension the country.

He further stated that Nigeria needs young men and women who are not only educated but also have practical skills to create jobs for themselves and others.

Today’s Nigeria requires men and women who are not only properly skilled but are ready to use their skills to create wealth and employ others,” he said.

Senator Akobundu reminded the participants of his campaign promise to do more than just give out temporary gifts but also to provide training that would help people become self-reliant.

I repeatedly said I will go beyond offering youths and women perishable items and gifts, but would train and empower them to stand on their own and even train and empower others,” he said.

One of the participants, Mr. Ndubuisi Ugwunna, in his vote of thanks, thanked the Senator for the opportunity to be self reliant.

We thank the Senator for offering us the opportunity to be self-reliant, and we promise to take this empowerment as a life-changing one and also a commercial venture,” said Ugwunna.

The Senator’s Senior Legislative Aide, Hon. Stanley Nwabuisi, noted that there are plans to help the participants start businesses and to keep checking on them to make sure they use the skills they learned.

The federal lawmaker has developed a programme to monitor the post-training activities of the participants to ensure they don’t abandon what they have been taught,” Nwabuisi said.

The senator noted that since becoming a Senator in November 2023, The training/empowerment programme which he sponsored in collaboration with the Centre for Management Development, Abuja, is his ninth empowerment/skill acquisition project in less than one year. He encouraged the graduands to make good use of the acquired skills and also promised to assist when needed.

It’s my passion to ensure that youths in this district, Abia Central Senatorial district, stand on their own as employers of labour rather than job seekers through various skill acquisition programmes”, he said.

The event was graced with other important guests including Barr. Shan Essien, an Assistant Director at the Centre for Management Development, Abuja, who praised the Senator’s efforts to empower the youth.

©CDA News.