By CHIEDU UCHE OKOYE

The president general of Obosi Development Union (ODU), Barr. Chimezie Obi, has said that the world is ruled by people, who possess the requisite skills for the performance of diverse tasks and jobs.

He made the comment during the inauguration ceremony for the commencement of entrepreneurial skills training programme for the graduands of the Obosi Innovative Skills and Empowerment Programme (OBISEP), which took place at the Obosi town hall on May 19, 2025.

The Obosi Development Union Skills Acquisition, Empowerment and Palliatives Committee partnered with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Anambra state chapter to organize the entrepreneurial skills training for OBISEP graduands.

Barr. Obi, who was represented at the event by the ODU general secretary, Comrade Amala Egbuonye, restated the Obosi people's unwavering support for OBISEP, which is tagged "Obosi 1 Household 2 Skills Programme", and urged the would-be trainees in the entrepreneurial skills training to take the training, seriously.

"ODU and all Obosi people are solidly behind you. So I urge you to listen attentively to your facilitators and teachers and imbibe the knowledge, which they will impart to you.

"I would like you to know that the world is ruled by people who possess skills. So if you have skills, the sky will be your take-off point in your respective endeavours, "Obi said.

The chairman of the Obosi Development Union (ODU) Skills Acquisition, Empowerment and Palliatives Committee, Nze Chisom Onugha, who is the initiator of the OBISEP scheme, and the brain behind the entrepreneurial skills training for OBISEP graduands, said that the training would last for four weeks.

He said that the reason for organizing the entrepreneurial skills programme for the graduands of OBISEP is to equip them with knowledge as to how they would grow their businesses, which entails their sourcing of funds for starting their businesses, advertising their products and services, and marketing them.

"Your participation in this programme would equip you with knowledge and skills regarding how to make your businesses grow, ranging from sourcing for funds, advertising your goods and services, and marketing your products.

"More so, I'd like you to know that participants in this programme will receive certificates of participation and start-up empowerment package, "Onugha said.

Nze Onugha further said that the programme would be carried out in accordance with the strict guidelines of Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN).

And one of the facilitators of the entrepreneurial skills training programme, Chief Rosco Ezenwa, said that the high mortality rate of small scale businesses in Nigeria should be the compelling and chief reason why the OBISEP graduands would participate in the programme.

"Strive to overcome all impediments that could prevent you from participating in the programme.

"You need knowledge that would make your business concerns to thrive because small scale businesses are prone to going into extinction soon after they're established, "Ezenwa said.

One of the persons who would participate in the entrepreneurial skills training programme, Ebele Blessing Onunkwo, expressed appreciation to Obosi people, who provided the opportunity and platform for her to acquire skills, which are needed to tie scarves, fix nails, and do make-up.

"I am grateful to the traditional ruler of Obosi, Igwe Chidubem Iweka (Eze Iweka III), the ODU President General, Barr. Chimezie Obi, and all the people who made it possible for me to learn how to fix nails, tie scarves, and do make up.

"And I look forward to participating in the entrepreneurial skills training programme," Onunkwo said.

The four-week entrepreneurial skills training programme will take at Obosi town hall, starting from May 21, 2025.

? Okoye is a staff member of the Anambra State Ministry of Information.

? PHOTO: Chairman of Obosi of Development Union Skills Acquisition, Empowerment and Palliative Committee addressing the facilitators for the entrepreneurial skills training programme.

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