NAN-HE-13
Empowerment
By Martha Agas
Jos, July 5, 2017 (NAN) The Industrial Training Fund (ITF), on Wednesday inducted first set of 360 beneficiaries under the Women Skills Empowerment Programme (WOSEP) in Plateau as part of efforts to create jobs for women.
Mr Joseph Ari, the Director-General of ITF at the ceremony in Jos said that the objective of the programme was to equip women with requisite skills to establish and manage small scale businesses.
The D-G, who was represented by Mr Chris Adikwu, the Deputy Director, Technical and Vocational Training Department said that the WOSEP Scheme started in May with the selection of two states from each of the six geopolitical zones.
“We are training 30 women each from the selected states in trade such as cosmetology, poultry and events management making it a total of 360 women, the training is for three months,” he said.
He commended the Plateau government for training additional 33 women, saying that it was a sign of commitment by the government to reduce the hardship of women.
Mr Haggai Gutap, the Director-General, Plateau State Small and Medium Enterprises Development (PLASMEDA) said that government would sponsor 100 additional participants in the next phase of the training.
He said that the state government would provide equipment for them to start up their business, saying that the beneficiaries would be monitored.
Mrs Charity Dimlong, the Director of Women Affairs, the Plateau State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, commended the 66 women who would soon establish their businesses, saying it would metamorphose as companies employing youths and reducing social vices.
She enjoined the beneficiaries to be committed and not discouraged the ITF from extending the gesture to more women.
Miss Retna Goro, a beneficiary of the programme, said the programme had improved their cosmetics making skills in addition to enhancing their skills on how to market their products and services.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some household products such as air fresheners, antiseptic and pomade among others made by the trainees were exhibited. (NAN)
MA/JIE/GY
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Edited by Julius Enehikhuere/Grace Yussuf