By CHIEDU UCHE OKOYE

The traditional ruler of Obosi in Idemili North LGA of Anambra, Igwe Chidubem Iweka (Eze Iweka III), has expressed his total support for the Obosi Innovative Skills and Empowerment Programme (OBISEP).

Igwe Iweka, who was represented by Chief Chuma Magom (Ojuma Obosi), made the comment during the graduation ceremony of the people, who were trained on various skills and vocations under the OBISEP scheme.

?I am advising you to take your training seriously, as it will empower you to become self-employed and earn honest livelihoods,

?And I am assuring you of my continued and total support for OBISEP,? Igwe Iweka said.

OBISEP is a derivative and adaptation of Governor Chukwuma Soludo?s I Youth 2 Skills Programme in Anambra State.

The Obosi Development Union (ODU) Committee on Skills Acquisition, Empowerment, and Palliative mooted the idea of OBISEP and implemented it to equip unemployed youths with skills in order for them to become self-employed, thereby reducing the perpetration of crimes in the town.

The first batch of graduates of the OBISEP scheme were trained in diverse areas such as fashion designing, catering, fish farming, snail farming, CCTV installations, cosmetology, bakery, tying of scarves, and others.

During the graduation ceremony, the chairman of the event, Gen. Nnaemeka Maduegbuna, who was represented by Engr. Chinedu Iweka, thanked God for the successful completion of the OBISEP pilot scheme.

Maduegbuna, who made a cash donation of N300,000 for the sustenance of the OBISEP scheme, urged indigent and unemployed people in Obosi to utilise the opportunity offered by OBISEP to acquire life-changing skills.

And in his own remarks, the Obosi Development Union President General, Barr. Chimezie Obi, said that OBISEP is a domestication of Gov. Soludo?s I Youth 2 Skills Programme, and that it is kept in motion through the voluntary donations made by kind-hearted and well-heeled indigenes of Obosi.

He further stated that the graduates of the OBISEP pilot scheme received tutelage on thirty-one skills and vocational areas.

Barr. Obi further called on public-spirited people to support the OBISEP scheme so as to guarantee its continued existence.

And the chairman of the Obosi Development Union Committee on Skills Acquisition, Empowerment, and Palliative and chief driver of OBISEP, Nze Chisom Onugha, said that the graduands would move to the next level of training.

He also made the promise that they would be registered with CAC.

And as the event started grinding to its denouement, Barrister Emeka Uyamadu made a cash donation of N300,000 for the sustenance of the scheme while Ojudo Obosi gave OBISEP N200,000.

Other important dignitaries who attended the event were Mr. Pat Aghamba, the Anambra Commissioner for Youth Development; Comrade Amala Egbuonye, the Obosi Development Union, Secretary General; Mrs Highman Udemba; Engr. (Mrs.) Chito Onuzulike, the MD of SMEDAN in Anambra state; Nze Shedrack Okenwa, the Palace Secretary of the Obosi ancient kingdom.

?Okoye is an Anambra State Ministry of Information Officer.

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