As part of the integrated efforts towards empowerment of youths in the Niger Delta, the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta and Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Brigadier Paul Boroh (Rtd) has revealed that the on-going vocational skills empowerment training programmes for beneficiaries of the Presidential Amnesty Programme were intended to boost the development of micro, small and medium-sized businesses (MSMEs) in the region.
According to a press release made available to CEOAfrica by the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta, Gen Boroh made this revelation recently during a fashion show/graduation of twenty two beneficiaries from Balamere Fashion Academy Lagos where he was ably represented by his aide Miss Ayamah Mary Ebiere, from the Vocation Department.
At the event, Gen Boroh explained that the main objective of the on-going vocational skills trainings was to provide small, medium and micro-enterprises (SMMEs) with tools and know how to explore the opportunities in the real sector.
The Amnesty Chief noted that the building of capacity for small and medium enterprises’ operators, particularly in fashion and design sectors through vocational training programmes was a deliberate strategy of the Amnesty office towards job creation in line with the on-going reintegration of delegates of the Presidential Amnesty Programme.
He explained that the textile and clothing industry which is rated as the second largest sector in the developing world after agriculture, has the potential to create thousands of jobs for youths and women across the Niger Delta region, stressing that the socio-economic development of the region through youth empowerment initiatives was central to the stability and peace building agenda of the federal government for the region.
The Fashion Show
The General urged the beneficiaries to turn their drive and passion into profitable and rewarding career in the fashion industry to contribute to the national economy, adding that their choice of fashion and design was a step in the right direction.
He said “Many are attracted to pursue a career in the fashion industry due to the lucrative income opportunities. Aside from that, the idea that you can succeed on your own, should motivate you more. As a matter of fact, about one-third of professional fashion designers are self-employed.”
The Fashion Show
Earlier, the Vendor and Proprietor of Balamere Design Academy, Ms Beena Youdeowei, explained that 22 Amnesty beneficiaries went through a six months intensive training on fashion design, starting with needle works, use of manual sewing machines, to electrical and other industrial machines.
She said the trainees within the period have learnt to sew diverse range of garments, including uniforms, wedding ensemble (wedding dresses for bride’s maid and suits for grooms, adding that as part of their community service, the delegates made 50 hospital bed sheets and children wears to be donated to two orphanage homes.
Ms Youdeowei who commended Gen. Boroh for his vision and commitment to the empowerment of the youths in the Niger Delta region, said the trainees also had additional fashion related skills, including business management, mathematics, basic accounting skills, tailoring and accessory making, such as bags, hats, jewelleries, flowers, belts, basic shoe making, to ensure they succeed after leaving the programme.
It is worthy of note that textiles and clothing has great scope to offer employment and to transform lives because it’s labour-intensive nature. It is platform that could be used to engage hundreds of Amnesty delegates across the Niger Delta region.
