Youth empowerment from Kumuyi’s Young Professionals Forum

The Deeper Christian Life Ministry has stepped up its empowerment programme as the first batch of 350 youth benefitted from the Ministry’s Skill Acquisition Programme (SAP).

The alarming increase in the nation’s population coupled with the rate at which graduates are being churned out of universities and tertiary institutions every year without ready employment would definitely give sleepless nights to every concerned leader like the head of Deeper Christian Life Ministry, Dr. William Folorunsho Kumuyi.

So Kumuyi’s answer to stem the ugly tide of unemployment is The Young Professionals Forum (YPF), a non-profit and inter-denominational initiative with the vision to help young men and women in their journey to self-discovery and cultivate in them the total man committed to the expression of the glory of God as role-model professionals with global impact.

At the inaugural award ceremony of the beneficiaries of the programme, Kumuyi remarked that while his vision for the youth of this nation that culminated into the birth of YPF borders on helping young men and women in their journey to self-discovery and cultivate in them the total man committed to the expression of the glory of God, his mission centers on connecting and empowering young men and women by providing a fostering platform for divers young professionals that are desirous of excellence, personal growth and professional advancement.

Summarily, creation of YPF, therefore could not have been borne out of other reasons than Kumuyi’s concern with passion to help the youths of this generation discover the essence of purposeful living through diligence and hard work, honesty and integrity which will prepare them for excellence in their chosen fields of endeavor as he himself put it.

The inability of the government to cope with the responsibility bestowed upon her to give future to these helpless youth is very conspicuous as they could be seen wandering every where like sheep without a shepherd under the heavy weight of unemployment, underemployment, loss of jobs, frustrations, resulting into some of them taking into crime and other vices after waiting endlessly for needed breakthrough with the future still looking gloomy and bleak.

To say that Kumuyi’s bold, compassionate and fatherly step is in the right direction cannot be countervailed.

In his words: “The Deeper Life Ministry is wholly committed to the edification and elevation of the human essence and faculties into maximal productive use.

“There are plans ahead to train additional participants to acquire entrepreneurial skills in the next two months as we expect that the initial beneficiaries of Young Professionals Forum-SAP will face the future with courage and hope.

The Deeper Christian Life Ministry is committed to bringing real meaning and success to the otherwise beleaguered lives of youths,” he said.

The hilarious atmosphere that pervaded the hall and greeted the participants where the first batch of young professionals were awarded certificates would remain indelible in the heart of witnesses.

Expression of gratitude for a way out at last was the reflection of joy on the faces of the beneficiaries that were aglow under the bright light of the hall.

Testimonies that followed matched with the happiness of the youth that could not conceal the new horizon they suddenly found themselves.

Richard Okoye, beaming with smiles said he underwent training in Digital Marketing.

After the training, he was directed to a company with others and they were tested and on his being successful was immediately offered a job.

“I did not only benefit from the Skill Acquisition as a member of Young Professionals Forum- SAP, I also got a job,” he said.

Ben-Eze Chidiebere who was trained in Graphic Design and branding was full of gratitude to the founder of YPF for the opportunity given to him.

“Before the training, I had issues with fonts and colours in my designs but after the programme, I got a perfect understanding of the basis of design.

After getting my foundation right, my designs have changed which had opened door of many contracts for me.

I now also own a brand – ‘D’Ebere Art’ and it has been doing fine ever sine,” he said.

Adeyemi Jeremiah who was also trained in Digital Marketing remarked that the programme impacted positively in his life.

“Less than one month after the programme, I got a contract with Edu Bridge Consult in partnership with Google, as a digital trainer.

In addition to that, I have been to two states within two weeks. I was in Anambra and Kwara states to conduct some training and in the two states, I have trained over 700 students.

“I have two Google certifications as a Digital trainer and Artwork Specialist. Currently, I manage two social pages for small and medium enterprises (SMEs).”

The best student in Event Planning, Management and Decoration, Miss Oyinkansola Oyeyiola-Qurias described the initiative a wholesome programme.

She intends opening her own brand “Sewa Events” which according to her would take place very soon.

Oluwatoyin Bimpe Jegede, Professor of Oral Literature and Gender Studies, University of Ibadan, and the Communication Director, Anglican Diocese of Ife said churches involving in Skill Acquisition Programme for the youth would go a long way to giving hope to the youth and reduce crime in Nigeria.

“Youth of this nation are definitely under stress because of lack of available job and no doubt, Skill Acquisition Programme which is a better option to seeking for jobs that are not available would settle the restless and restive minds of the youth, put food on their table and give them the future they are craving for.

“It is a welcome development on the side of the Church that should not be seen as just preaching messages but also expressing concern for the challenges confronting the people.

“Youth would certainly be happy that the Church is moving in this direction and the fact that some people have concern for their life and future and want them to be profitably engaged, give them focus in life would make them happy and face the future with determination,” she said.