The Edo State Government has graduated 200 participants from its elite craftsmanship programme organised by the state’s Oil and Gas Producing Area Development Commission (EDSOGPADEC).
The programme tagged, ‘Aguakpa Ghe Igbama,’ trained women and youths in various trades including welding and fabrication, panel beating, plumbing, agriculture, catering and decoration, shoe and bag making, fishery, poultry and piggery production, among others.
Representative of the Edo State Governor and Secretary to the Commission, Mr. Toriseju Onaiwu, in his welcome address, urged the graduates to maximize the opportunity of the training programme to empower themselves and contribute their quota to the development of the state.
Onaiwu noted that the programme is in furtherance of the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration’s commitment to youth and women development, assuring that the government will continue to pursue reforms and programmes to ensure improved livelihood for the people and economic prosperity for the state.
On his part, Mr. Godwin Ogieriaikhi, said the over 200 graduands were drawn from Orhionmwon, Ikpoba Okha and Ovia North East Local Government Areas (LGAs), which fall under the mandate area of EDSOGPADEC, adding that 15 physically challenged persons were also issued certificate of participation.
Narrating the gains recorded through the ‘Aguakpa Ghe Igbama’ programme since its maiden edition in 2019, Ogieriaikhi stated, “When the Commission secured Mr. Governor’s approval to create and activate human capital development as a core mandate in the Commission, a committee was set up by the Commission to design a programme that will not only be effective but sustainable. “
He reiterated that the programme is designed to empower women and youths in the state, making them self-reliant and employers of labour.
