Group urges Nigerians to embrace skills acquisition

Group urges Nigerians to embrace skills acquisition
NAN-H-29
Poverty
By Awayi Kuje
Akwanga (Nasarawa State), Jan. 11, 2018 (NAN) Tarayyar Ekklesiyoyin Kristi A Nigeria (Fellowship of Christians Church in Nigeria – FCCN) has advised members of the fellowship and Nigerians to embrace skills acquisition in order to become self reliant.
Rev. Caleb Ahima, the TEKAN President, gave the advice on Thursday while addressing the delegates at the ongoing five-day TEKAN General Assembly Conference, at Alushi, Akwanga Local Government Area of Nasarawa State
The forum is themed: “The Church in Times Like This” in Evangelical Reformed Church of Christ (ERCC).
He said that if members of the church and other Nigerians embrace skills acquisition, it would also enable them contribute to national growth, as well tackle unemployment and social ills in the country.
“Considering the biting economic situation in the country, our effort to survive should remove those cultural seeming cultural constraints that have dichotomised labours along gender lines where certain jobs are meant for men and some for women.
“Our members and Nigerians need to be encouraged to go in to such income-generating jobs like automobile repairs, driving of small and large vehicles, barbing, electrical/metal works, masonry, hair care, tailoring services, design of wares, construction work, and agriculture, among others.
“Nigeria, our country is a nation caught hopelessly and seemingly helplessly in the labyrinth of complex challenges, and the result, among many other things is the colossal challenge of unemployment
“This development has made many of our youth frustrated and forced to unwilling miss the beat in life’s dance.
“Sadly, many of them carry along bottled-up anger and are ready gun powder for exploitation by ruthless predators.
“Unless something is done to deflate this anger, it portends further dangers, and the nation will certainly be threatened with either the likes of Boko Haram, unknown gunmen and other social ills in the country.
“It is on this note that I deem it very important to put through a clarion call to church-members, for those who have not tried it, to consider creating local skills acquisition programmes that may eventually withdraw our youth from the streets and some of the attending dehumanising vices,’’ he said.
Ahima also urged members of the fellowship and Nigerians to take advantage of the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) to register in order to vote leaders of proven integrity and unquestionable character in 2019 and beyond.
“As the nation’s general election draws closer, I appeal to all leaders of TEKAN denomination to work hard and ensure that all of our members of eligible age are registered and issued their voters card,” according to him.
Besides, Ahima urged Christians and other Nigerians to shun corruption, live an exemplary life by shunning evil acts at all the times so as to inherit the kingdom of God and in the interest of peace and national development.
The TEKAN president restated the commitment of the fellowship to continue to key in to policies that have direct bearing on lives of citizens and appealed to Nigerians to embrace peace, be law abiding and respect constituted authorities in the interest of peace and national development. (NAN)
AKW/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola