Nigeria - 'I can now create and design different types of hats and beads, thanks to AFREHUC for giving me the opportunity,' said Mrs. Ngozi Ndukwe, one of the 700 beneficiaries of the skill acquisition programme embarked upon by the African Educational & Human Development Centre (AFREHUC) in Lagos. 'I thank God that through the programme, I have gained so much knowledge in website design and in my interpersonal relationship with people,' another beneficiary, Odunaiya Olatunji stated. Also, Gerald Methiwe, a website designer thanked AFREHUC for the initiative which he said has given him opportunity to broaden his horizon. Already, he disclosed that he had designed a web where other beneficiaries could exhibit their goods and services. 'It was a wonderful and highly impacting programme,I have gained a lot from our facilitators. I m good to go,' said Oluremi Akinrinlola, who graduated from the Catering Class.

'I thank God for being part of AFREHUC comprehensive training on how to be an event manager. Sharing my experience with a friend who spent N25, 000 attending a week programme of such, I now know that AFREHUC has helped me save almost N100, 000.00,' Anini Adebayo, enthused

Indeed, the RCCG Miracle Centre where the seventh graduation ceremony took place was a beehive of activities as the grauduands displayed skills acquired during the four-week intensive training in forms of decorated cakes, hats, assorted drinks and food among others.

The programme comprised different classes; information technology class is made up of computer engineering, computer appreciation and website design; there are also catering, event management, leadership training as well as hat and beads making classes.

President of AFREHUC, Ndubueze Nmamdi explained that the NGO was established by three young men to tackle the issue of inadequate skills in the society.

'We have discovered that most people lack skills, not even the basic knowledge of many things that they can do to sustain themselves. So, we came up with this programme to help train them to secure their future,' he noted.

He disclosed that a total of 2,000 people have undergone various training since commencement of the programme.

'Last year, we were able to train over 2000 people and almost all of them are doing something on their own now. Today, we are graduating over 700 trainees from Surulere and Ketu centres , and I am proud to present them after successful completion of an intensive training. I have supervised them personally all through,' he stated.

But how has it been sourcing for funds, this was his response; 'As a young man it has been very challenging because I have my own personal business which I run aside the NGO. But I have decided to carry the humanitarian activities along despite all the challenges. So in all, whatever the challenges we face, it has been worthwhile and besides, we do not need to run away from challenges, in as much as they involve impacting people's lives positively, we have to do whatever we can to help others no matter the difficulties.'

He expressed appreciation to the Pastor in Charge of RCCG, Miracle Centre, Ketu Lagos, Pastor Abiodun who he stated has been of tremendous support for the project. He also appealed to the government and international donors to assist initiative such as AFREHUC to continue to impact positively on the people.

He called on the youth to be focus and determined to make it in life. Already, experts also addressed the grauduands on how to be successful in their various trades.

According to Pastor Abiodun; 'One of our greatest problems in Nigeria is unemployment and you know there are no jobs to go around yet there are lots of things people can do. So what this programme does is to teach people skills free of charge thereby empowering them so that they can stand on their own.'

Stella Odueme

Daily Independent/13/04/2011