Author: alex enebeli

2,075 Enugu women, youths pass out from entrepreneurial skills training

Training
By Alex Enebeli
Enugu, June 30, 2024 (NAN) No fewer than 2,075 women and youths from different parts of Enugu State, on Sunday, passed out from training in different entrepreneurial and vocational skills organised by the Potters Wheel Foundation (PWF).

In a speech at the graduation ceremony held at the Indoor Sports Hall, Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu, the President/Founder of the Enugu-based Non-Governmental Organisation, Mr Godsown Onuzulike, lauded the graduands for their hard work, dedication and passion.

Onuzulike said that of the 2,075 graduates, 75 women and youths, selected from 165 trainees, had completed their free vocational and entrepreneurship training.

He further said that 2000 persons from the 36 states of the federation, including the FCT, participated in the online training and were also graduating.

According to him, the trainees underwent rigorous evaluations, including practicals, written exams and one-on-one assessments, after their three weeks practical training on baking and confectionary and natural beverages.

Other areas, he said, were hygienic, Skincare products, craft, social media marketing as well as business managerial soft and digital skill.

Onuzulike also said that the foundation trained the beneficiaries, in collaboration with the state Ministry of Youth and Sports.

He said, “In spite of the challenges in sourcing materials, funding and logistics, the organisation’s resolve to equip youths and women with vocational and entrepreneurial skills remains unwavering and unrelenting.”

He commended Gov. Peter Mbah for his support and providing the enabling environment for the foundation to thrive.

He, however, appealed for start-up grants for the graduands, a shared facility for NAFDAC approval and a bus for the foundation.

In a speech, Dep. Gov. Ifeanyi Ossai described the foundation’s initiative in the realm of education and economic empowerment as commendable.

Ossai, represented by the Secretary, Enugu State Boundary Committee, Dr Solomon Ejim, said that government alone could not solve the unemployment problem in the country.

According to him, it is through partnerships with committed non-profit and non-governmental organisations, like TPWF, that sustainable development and meaningful progress can be achieved.

He hailed the efforts of the foundation, saying: “Your dedication to creating opportunities, fostering education and providing support for the less privileged serves as a beacon of hope for many.

“The impact of your work resonates across our society, touching lives and transforming the future of many.

“By providing financial literacy training, entrepreneurial support and microfinance opportunities, you are helping individuals and families break the cycle of poverty and achieve self-sufficiency.”

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Children, Gender Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Ngozi Enih, said that the ministry was happy partnering with the foundation in training women.

Enih advised the participants to make use of what they learnt, saying that no knowledge is a waste.

“This training is to empower and lift you out of poverty, which is in line with Gov. Peter Mbah’s policy of eradicating poverty in the state.

“I want the foundation to include agriculture in the training for the next batch because it is a lucrative business,” she said.

A participant, Chioma Enyinnaya, commended Onuzulike, saying that she could fend for herself and family with what she learnt from the training.

“I learnt how to make black soap and when I displayed it online, I received order from abroad.

“The platform has given me an opportunity to do those things I didn’t know how to do before,” Enyinnaya said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

AAE/BEKl/USO
Edited by AbdulFatai Beki/Sam Oditah

Lottery

By Alex Enebeli

Enugu, June 28, 2024 (NAN) Gov. Peter Mbah of Enugu State says gaming has enormous potential to drive and contribute meaningfully to the country’s economy and tourism industry.

The governor disclosed this during the Enugu State Gaming Conference held at Amaedo Event Centre, Enugu on Thursday with the theme: “Exploring The Future of Gaming: Innovation and Collaborations”

Mbah, represented by his deputy, Mr Ifeanyi Ossai, said that Enugu was eager to drive the innovation and regulatory process.

The governor said the government keyed into the industry to boost its revenues and local economy.

He, however, urged the operators and investors in Gaming and Lottery Industry to imbibe the spirit of innovation and creativity to providing consumers with excellent services.

Mbah advised that the gaming and lottery operations should be done with highest standard of integrity, transparency and responsibility.

He assured the investors that the state government would continue to provide an enabling environment for the businesses to thrive, adding that it was the responsibility of the government to protect its citizens.

While describing the conference as apt and timing, Mbah urged the participants to come up with exciting discussions that would shape the future of the gaming industry in the country.

“We must separate gaming driven by addiction where you now have to wreck yourself financially by selling your properties, selling your jewellery or that of the members of your family because you want to play a game,.

“These are two different things and that is where the regulators have a duty to checkmate this,” he said.

Earlier in a welcome address, the Executive Secretary, Enugu State Gaming and Lottery Commission, Prince Arinze Arum, said the conference stood as a testament to their collective commitment to the future of the gambling industry in Enugu State in particular and Nigeria in general.

According to Arum, Enugu State holds a unique position within Nigeria – a vibrant cultural and e economic centre with a rich history and dynamic population.

“We are not only to discuss current challenges and opportunities but to chart a course towards sustainable growth and development that benefits all stakeholders, operators, consumers, and the industry at large.

“With the theme, this event has been carefully designed to help in the overall growth of the industry especially in Enugu State.

“It encapsulates our vision for a forward-thinking approach to industry growth through innovation spurred by strategic partnership.

He explained that there were tremendous potentials for the gaming sector to contribute significantly to the state’s economic prosperity.

Arun called for its prudent and transparent management as well as social impact and consumer protection.

While commending the state government for its support and unwavering commitment to building a unique and safe gaming destination in Nigeria, Arum expressed gratitude to all their sponsors, partners and organisers who made the conference a reality.

A Resource Person, Mr Basher Are while speaking in a topic titled: “Gaming Tourism Development: Prospects For Nigeria Market” x-rayed the challenges facing the gaming industry in the country.

He said that there was a bright future for the sector in the land.

The high point of the event was a panel discussion with questions and answers session from participants. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

AAE/OIF/MNA
Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo/ Maureen Atuonwu

Drug

By Alex Enebeli

Enugu, June 27, 2024 (NAN) Mr David Folaranmi, a repentant drug addict, has narrated his experience on drug addiction and how he was rescued from the social vice.

Folaranmi, who is the founder of David Folaranmi Foundation, narrated his experience during the foundation’s 6th Annual Symposium, on Drug Abuse, held at the University of Nigeria Enugu Campus (UNEC) on Thursday.

The event held for the youth, was themed “Evidence Is Clear: Invest In Prevention”.

“I was once a drug addict. When I finished schooling in Nigeria, I went to the UK in 2010 and some of my friends introduced me to hard drugs.

“It became bad that I started selling my property including my car and started living on the streets in UK; it took up to seven years of moving from one place to the other but I was rescued and rehabilitated.

“When I got better in 2017, I started this foundation to save the youths from drug addiction,” Folaranmi said.

The founder called for increased campaign against drug abuse in the country particularly in the South East to discourage youths from consuming hard drugs.

“When I went for a programme and drug survey came out, and there was high prevalence cases in the Southeast, we decided to establish the foundation in Enugu,” he said.

Speaking on the theme, Folaranmi said the prevention should start from the family, where parents were expected to speak to their children on dangers of drug abuse.

According to him, communities, schools, media and religious leaders, also have roles to play in that regard.

Folaranmi explained that the symposium was also meant to remind the young people on the issue of drug abuse and its effects in the society, so they would not forget.

“So if we can teach them at school level on prevention, it will not exceed to their adulthood. We will train them on causes, risk factors, and preventive measures.

“As we train them, they will go out and train others,” he said.

He revealed that the foundation was borne out of the need to educate Nigerians against drug abuse, especially the young people.

Delivering a lecture on Drug Abuse, the Associate Dean, Student Affairs, UNEC, Prof. Philip Udoh, recalled that during his days in school, illicit drugs were not consumed, but were common among students.

While urging them to seek medical help, if affected by it, Udoh urged for total ban on sales of hard drugs from markets.

In a remark, Lt.Col. Adeyemi Abolade, the Commander, 82 Division Medical Services and Hospital, Enugu, commended the foundation for the programme, saying that drug abuse was a menace to the society.

He urged students to desist from it as  its prevention was cheap, but could cost a lot to treat.

A student, Miracle Oji, from Jesus Foundation School, Enugu, expressed happiness over the sensitisation, stressing that, “I have learnt a lot about drug abuse and how it affect our lives.

“I will take the message to my friends and other members of my community,” she said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event was attended by many secondary schools from the state capital, representatives of security agencies and health officers among others.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

AAE/ARIS/MNA

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Edited by Idowu Ariwodola/Maureen Atuonwu

Drug

By Alex Enebeli

Enugu, June 26, 2024 (NAN) The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), says the agency’s biggest challenge on its fight against Illicit drugs in Enugu was the growing intake of methamphetamine -Mkpuru-mmiri

The Enugu State Commander, Mr Abel Wadahi, disclosed this at the commemoration of the 2024 United Nations International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking with the theme “The Evidence is Clear: Invest in Prevention”.

The event which held at the Enugu State High Court Auditorium on Wednesday was organised by the NDLEA in partnership with David Folarinmi Foundation.

Addressing newsmen, the commander said the rate at which youth and underage children between 10 years and 13 years consumed the substance popularly known as “Mkpuru-mmiri” was worrisome.

He said the agency would intensify its campaign against it in the rural communities as they were currently sensitising students in schools on weekly basis against the consumption of harmful substances.

“This is my second time of working in Enugu, I can tell you that mkpurumiri is the biggest problem we have in Enugu,” he said.

Reading his address earlier, Wadahi disclosed that the command had put in place strategies to continue to arrest drug traffickers as well as seize all illicit drugs being peddled in and through Enugu State.

According to him, the command have seized 1.874 tonnes of various drugs which include Cocaine, Cannabis sativa and Methamphetamine.

“A total of 51 suspects were prosecuted and 85 cases are pending in court.

“Apart from convictions, assets of convicts used as instrumentality of crime or the proceeds derived from drug trafficking were forfeited to Federal Government of Nigeria.

“Within the period under review, the Command has counseled, treated and rehabilitated 122 clients, including 52 brief interventions,” he said.

He decried the UN Office on Drugs and Crime 2018 Drug Use Survey that showed that 15 million Nigerians abuse drugs, stating that it was three times the global average.

“This is unacceptable and considering the foregoing data and projections, it has become even more critical for Nigeria to invest heavily in drug use preventive measures.

“I hope it will not be an exaggeration to describe this as a national emergency,” he said.

Declaring the event open, Gov. Peter Mbah of Enugu State, said the state was working hard to combat the devastating issues of drug abuse and illicit trafficking through multi-sectoral approach.

Mbah, represented by the State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Emmanuel Obi, said the drug consumption in the state was worrisome and expressed the willingness to combat it.

According to him, the destructive grip of drugs, transcend borders and demographics, tears someone apart, shatters lives and weaken the very fabric of the communities

“Human lives are immeasurable and economic impact is undeniable. It borders our healthcare system, drain resources and undermine public safety”.

In a remark, the Chairman of the event, Igwe C.M Nevobasi, the Ezeani III of Agunese Mmaku Kingdom, represented by one of his Cabinet, Chief Frederick Ngene, while decrying rate of drug abuse in Nigeria, urged governments to invest more on youths development.

He commended NDLEA for the celebration, pledging that he and other leaders in his domain would continue to sensitise youths in the area.

Taking students who attended the event on Drug Abuse and its Effect”, the founder of David Folarinmi Foundation, David Folarinmi, said that drug abuse and Illicit trafficking could lead to addiction and death.

Folarin charged the students to shun illicit drugs saying that it was detrimental to their health, academics and future endeavour. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

AAE/MNA

Edited by Maureen Atuonwu

Gov. Mbah urges youths to embrace leadership, entrepreneurship

Youth

By Alex Enebeli

Enugu, June 22, 2024 (NAN) Gov. Peter Mbah of Enugu State on Saturday advised youths to embrace leadership, entrepreneurial and innovative spirit to move the state and Nigeria forward.

Mbah gave the advice in Enugu during the 2024 Enugu Leadership and Business Summit, organised by Enugu Innovative Youths (EIY).

The summit is themed, “The Role Of Youths in Building A New Enugu”

The governor encouraged the youths to pursue greatness and cultivate the mindset of life-long-learning to enable them achieve their dreams in life.

Addressing the youths at the summit held at University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, the governor extolled the energy the youths brought to the submit, saying that the gathering showed incredible power that lied within the youths.

The governor, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, added that the theme resonated deeply with their collective aspirations.

According to him, this underscores the pivotal role youths play in reshaping the destiny of Enugu State whether through entrepreneurship, advocacy or public service.

He urged them to embrace leadership which, he said, was not title or position but something that inherent what one works toward.

According to him, leadership is not confined to boardroom or legislative chambers but begins with self awareness, commitment to integrity, empathy and ethical conduct.

“It is defined by the courage to take initiative, resilience to navigate challenge and compassion to uplift those around you.

“True leaders inspire trust, empower others and champion inclusivity.

“Remember to uplift those around you when ascending the ladder of success.

“This is because true greatness is not measured by personal accolades you receive but by the positive impact you have on others.

“Your contribution matters and you have power to make a difference. The time to lead is now and the world is waiting for you,” Mbah added.

A member representing Enugu North and South Federal Constituency, Mr Chimaobi Atu, in a lecture titled “A Limitless Potentials of Enugu Youth” urged the youth to embrace innovation and acquire digital skills and networking.

This, he said, would help them to solve complex challenges facing the society as well as discovering their hidden potentials.

Also, the member representing Nkanu East and West Federal Constituency, Mr Nnolim Nnaji, while speaking on “Youths And Drug Abuse”, noted that drug abuse posed socio-economic effect and endangered the future of youths.

He, however, advised them to shun any form of drug abuse in order to build the desired and sustained society the state and country craved for.

Earlier, the Director of EIY, Rev. Chimaobi Aninwene, said the summit aimed at gathering youths together to educate them on the need to be part of the happenings in Enugu and the country.

He said: “Before this time many youths think that to be a youth is just about a particular age. Youth need to understand who they are to value themselves.

“We want to be part of innovation and creativity going on in the country as well as partnering with Mbah because of his developmental strides within one year in office,” he said.

He explained that the youths were drawn across the 17 Local Government Areas of the state to participate in the summit, to hear and learn from incredible leaders, who would speak to them on various topics.

The News Agency Nigeria (NAN) reports that highlights of the event include the presentation of N100,000 each to three youths for their education and presenting Mbah with the Best Innovation Award of the year. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

AAE/MAM/AMM

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Edited by Modupe Adeloye and Abiemwense Moru

Partnership

By Alex Enebeli

Enugu, June 22, 2024 (NAN) The Enugu State Housing Development Corporation (ESHDC) and the Okofia Ukana community in Udi Council Area, on Saturday, signed a partnership agreement for housing development in the community.

The partnership also entailed the signing deed of customary grant for the use of large expanse of the village land for new residential and commercial houses.

Mr Gerald Asogwa, the General Manager, ESHDC, and the cooperation’s Secretary, Dr Anayo Edeh, signed on behalf of the corporation while Mr Chijioke Achi, the Chairman of Okofia General Assembly (OGA) and the village Secretary, Mr Chijioke Orji, signed on behalf of Okofia.

The ceremony which took place at the palace of the eldest man in Okofia, Chief Jeremiah Ebunyebe, was witnessed by the directors in the housing cooperation as well as elders and men of Okofia community.

In a remark at the event, Asogwa said that the acquisition of the land in the community’s Achievers Layout was to fast track the urban renewal programme of the state government.

He said that Gov. Peter Mbah had plans of expanding the city of Enugu as the state capital was already filled up.

“There is no way we will continue to restrict the city growth to the area it occupies today.

‘The Uwani area, developed years ago is already filled up, the same thing with the Independence Layout, the same thing with GRA.

“What the Governor wants to do now is what other states have been doing such as Lagos state with its Garden Atlantic City or Epe/Lekki,” he said.

According to him, it is what a people do in a place that it becomes.

“In the next couple of months that particular area which we call Blossom Garden Solar City, in which part of your land belongs, is going to have a new face like other major estates in the city.’

Asogwa thanked the leadership and people of Okofia on behalf of Gov. Mbah and promised that the decision it took to key into the trajectory of the governor would not be in vain.

“We will develop that place and you people are going to be proud of your decision,” he said.

Asogwa hinted that a road project had already begun to link the capital city to the estate up to the surounding villages.

He said such development would increase the value of the land, reduce travel time to the capital and open up the area for other investments.

The OGA chairman, Achi, said that with the signing ceremony the community had given the corporation authorisation to begin its renewal programme in the Achievers City Layout, Phase 1 covering a total of 800 plots.

“It is our desire that the corporation will execute the project satisfactorily.”

Achi gave the assurance that both parties would keep to the terms of the agreement.

“We use this opportunity to thank the Enugu Gov. Mbah for bringing development to the rural community and for other department strides on various parts of the state.

“We are satisfied with what he is doing in Enugu state as projects dot every corner of the state.

The chairman praised Mbah for restoring water everywhere in the state capital and appealed to him to extend the water scheme to Ukana and other rural communities.

He also gave kudos to the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Uche Ugwu, for being a true representative of “our people as our son” and being solidly behind the Governor to enable him to realise his development agenda”. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

AAE/MNA

Edited by Maureen Atuonwu

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