In a bid to tackle the issue of unemployment in the country, the Young Men’s Christian Association, Mada Hills-Nigeria, on Wednesday commenced the training of 30 youths drawn from some selected states of the country, in several skill acquisition programmes.
The training is also aimed at ensuring that young people are engaged in meaningful activities which would further help to have a crime-free society.
The Camp Committee Chairman of YMCA Mada Hills-Nigeria, Ayuma Alaku, made the disclosure at the opening ceremony of the 2023 Summer Youth Camp tagged “Igniting For Self-Reliance”, in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital.
He explained that the programme which would close on Saturday was expected to broaden the knowledge of the youths in several skills including essentials of communication, speech presentation, rudiments of being employable, among others.
Alaku said, “It is my utmost pleasure to welcome you to the 2023 Summer Youth Camp. This is an event set aside to build the capacity of youth who usually stay idle during holidays. I commend all the campers from Lagos, Bauchi, Nasarawa and other states of the federation for being present at the camp.
“I urge you all to participate actively so that you will be outstanding among your equals. I assure everyone of you that this journey will be filled with opportunities for learning and growth.”
On his part, the Chairman on the occasion and Minority Whip of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Solomon Akwashiki, pledged to continue to give the needed support to all youth across the 13 Local Government Areas of the state.
The lawmaker who was represented by one of his aides, Monday Kassimu, while lamenting that issues of insecurity including terrorism, kidnapping and banditry were being perpetrated by youths, called on the participants to work hard towards being self-reliant in order not to be involved in crime.
“This training is a great opportunity for you all to learn new things that will help in achieving your set goals. The issue of unemployment in the society is actually worrisome, that is why we always urge our youth to get skills that will help to put food on their table in the absence of white-collar jobs. So, this training programme is timely and I urge everyone of you to take it seriously,” he added.
Earlier in his welcome address, the President of YMCA Mada Hills-Nigeria, Rev. James Agot, who was represented by the Vice President, Luka Alumbugu, said the current hardship being faced by citizens of the country, propelled the organisation to initiate the training programme in other to give hope to the youth and their families.
One of the beneficiaries who spoke on behalf of the others, Faith Adamu, expressed gratitude to the organizers for the programme, and promised to put everything they will learn into practice for the betterment of themselves and the society.
