In a bid to uplift and support underserved communities, the Youth and Women Empowerment Center (YOWEC) and the Ken-Idehen Innovation Institute (KIII), have announced the continuation of their free skill acquisition programme. This transformative initiative aims to empower women and youths by providing practical training in high-demand fields such as Catering, Videography, Photography and Agriculture in addition to other in demand IT courses, with a focus on individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds.

YOWEC director, Gloria Amonia Ken-Idehen, shared her excitement about the programmes commencement, stating, “I’m excited to announce the continuation of our free skill acquisition programme, a collaboration between the Youth and Women Empowerment Center (YOWEC) and the Ken-Idehen Innovation Institute (KIII) to empower youths and women with practical skills in critical areas.”

Designed to offer life-changing opportunities, the programme breaks down financial barriers through scholarships for indigent students, ensuring that financial constraints do not hinder access to quality education and training. By equipping participants with valuable skills, the programme supports the creation of small businesses and helps secure employment, thereby contributing to a reduction in dropout rates.

One participant expressed her gratitude, saying, “I have been looking forward to learning how to bake, but I did not have the funds to pay for training. This training has helped me learn this skill and I will now use it to start my own small business. I am very happy. Thank you.”

As the new school session began, parents have been coming to the school to take advantage of the scholarships for the underserved, as the programme provides students with a competitive edge in today’s job market.

Additionally, government bodies in riverine areas are invited to sponsor students and support this initiative to reduce Nigerias dropout and out of school children as well as promote local economic growth.