Helpline engages 300 women, youth in traditional skill programme

By Stanley Onyekwere

A Non Governmental Organisation (NGO), the Helpline Foundation For The Needy, Abuja has engaged 300 vulnerable and marginalized women and youth in strategic traditional skill transfer programme.

Helpline disclosed that the programme is being powered by  MacCArthur Foundation Abuja, through Resource Center For Human Right And Civic Education (CHRICED),  as part of its activities of promoting the rights of the original inhabitants of FCT project.

Speaking during the graduation /exhibition ceremony of the original inhabitants Batch A participants of the skill transfer scheme, yesterday in Abuja, Helpline President, Dr. Jumai Ahmadu, said the project has included 9 other original inhabitants (OIs), in their various capacities all gravitating towards giving and promoting the voice of the Ols in their land.

Ahmadu, who was represented by Onoja Arome, the NGO’s Project Officer, noted the beneficiaries have shown interest and resilience in preserving the culture of their fore fathers through traditional skill acquisition.

According to her, “We are sure that this skill so far gained will not only revamp their cultures but will serve as a veritable means of livelihood.

“To the participants graduating today, I want to welcome you to a new world because this is a new thing happening to you today. 

“The skill is for you to gain two things number one, to preserve your culture in the midst of rapid urban progress and then sustenance if livelihood”.

As part of the programme, there was an exhibition to showcase what the participants have produced this is to demonstrate how prepared the Ols are to continue to preserve and sustain their culture via the display of their traditional identification.