Catholic Bishops Empower 700 Nigerian Graduates With Vocational Skills, Grant Equipment To Combat Poverty
Catholic Bishops, through Caritas Nigeria, have provided vocational kits to 350 individuals trained in various fields such as cosmetology, barbing, hairdressing, tailoring, catering, phone repair, and carpentry at a graduation ceremony held in Ise/Orun Ekiti, Ise/Orun Local Government Area, on Tuesday. As further revealed by OPEN TELEVISION Naija (OTN) News, another 350 trainees in Iluomoba Ekiti, Gbonyin Local Government Area, received similar kits on Monday, bringing the total number of empowered individuals to 700.
By: Abdulwasiu Akintunde
The Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria has emphasized the importance of acquiring skills for self-reliance as a strategy to combat poverty in the country.
Through their NGO, Caritas Nigeria, the bishops provided vocational kits to 350 individuals trained in various fields such as cosmetology, barbing, hairdressing, tailoring, catering, phone repair, and carpentry at a graduation ceremony held in Ise/Orun Ekiti, Ise/Orun Local Government Area, on Tuesday.
As further revealed by OPEN TELEVISION Naija (OTN) News, another 350 trainees in Iluomoba Ekiti, Gbonyin Local Government Area, received similar kits on Monday, bringing the total number of empowered individuals to 700.
The Catholic Bishop of Ekiti Diocese, Most Rev Felix Ajakaye, urged people to focus on self-employment opportunities rather than relying on scarce white-collar jobs.
Represented by Rev Father, Francis Alade, Ajakaye stated, "This initiative is not just a palliative measure. Caritas' support aims to empower the graduates and contribute to poverty alleviation in our society."
He added that while many blame the Government for unemployment, individuals should consider what they can do to improve their circumstances.
"The Government cannot do everything. We should look inward and take action in our own small ways," the bishop advised.
Ajakaye encouraged the beneficiaries to fully utilize the skills and equipment they received to improve their lives and to pass on their knowledge to others to uplift society.
Caritas Nigeria's Senior Advisor on Humanitarian Services, Mr. Friday Alhassan, explained that the initiative, part of the "Building Sustainable Livelihood in Vibrant Communities" project, is designed to invest in the future of individuals, communities, and the nation.
Supported by the Conrad Hilton Foundation, the two-year program targets 21,000 vulnerable individuals across Ekiti and Lagos states, focusing on skills development, financial inclusion, and sustainable income generation.
The Ajagun of Iluomoba, Oba Olubenga Jimoh, urged the beneficiaries to make the most of the vocational kits and not to sell them.
OTN News recalls that beneficiaries like Nifemi Agbanigo, Ayomide Adeyeye, Ajayi Oluwaseun, and Oke Oluwafemi expressed gratitude to Caritas Nigeria, noting that the initiative had helped them achieve their dreams of learning vocational skills and acquiring necessary tools.
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