By Chibuike Nwabuko
ABUJA (PRECISE POST) – Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, has flagged off a four-month skills development programme in Bende, Abia State, aimed at equipping youths with practical knowledge and globally recognised certifications.
The programme, titled “An Artisan Training on Building Projects,” is sponsored by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and facilitated by Family Homes Funds Limited (FHFL), with the support of the Office of the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives.
The initiative has selected 150 trainees from across Abia State, with Bende Local Government Area securing the largest share of 130 slots, representing youths drawn from each of the 13 political wards in the local government, the statement signed by Levinus Nwabughiogu, Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives said.
Abia and Enugu are the two states selected from the South-East for the pilot phase of the intervention, with both states being the first to commence training under the current cohort.
The programme, which commenced in August, will run through November 2026. It comprises two months of theoretical training, already underway, followed by two months of practical training.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony in Bende on Monday, Kalu, who represents Bende Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the African Development Bank and Family Homes Funds Limited for the initiative, describing it as part of efforts to empower Nigerian youths.
The Deputy Speaker particularly praised President Tinubu for backing youth-focused programmes, saying the initiative would not have been possible without the President’s support.
“Let me thank my leader in politics, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a President who is not just saying he loves the youths in words, but doing that through action.
“This initiative won’t be possible without the help of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He is the one who has energised Family Home to begin to scout for youths who will be equipped for the future.”
Kalu noted that Nigeria’s youthful population remained one of the country’s greatest assets, particularly as the nation approaches 2050, when it is projected to rank among the world’s most populous countries.
He urged the trainees to remain committed throughout the programme, warning them against the temptation to drop out before completing the training.
According to him, the certificates to be awarded to successful participants would have national and international recognition, while job placements had already been arranged for qualifying beneficiaries in the first phase.
The Deputy Speaker challenged the trainees to see themselves as part of the foundation for rebuilding Bende, Abia State and Nigeria.
He said the real value of the programme was in the knowledge and skills participants would acquire, which could not be taken away from them.
“The only way you are going to pay Mr. President, the African Development Bank, Family Homes and the Office of the Deputy Speaker back is by showing dedication. Finish the training. What is waiting for you at the end is big.
“The youths are the energy of the nation. The more we equip them, the better we build the nation. If we abandon them, we abandon our future. If we hold their hands, we prepare a nation that generations unborn will be proud of.”
Kalu said the decision to focus on skills acquisition was deliberate, noting that knowledge acquired by the beneficiaries would remain with them wherever they went.
“We decided to go this route because we are looking for what we can give you, that somebody cannot take away from you because it will go with you everywhere you go.
“The knowledge you acquire from here will germinate into a very big tree that will provide shelter for a whole lot of people.”
He added: “I am counting on you, as we want to rebuild Bende, rebuild Abia, rebuild the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I am counting on you. Segment by segment, phase by phase, we will train a whole lot of youths, for them to be able to fend for themselves and fend for their loved ones.”
Also speaking, a representative of Family Homes Funds Limited, Builder Ugwueri John, said the programme was in line with the Federal Government’s efforts to reduce youths’ dependence on white-collar and government jobs by equipping them with skills capable of driving economic growth.
Ugwueri expressed appreciation to the Deputy Speaker for facilitating the programme’s presence in Bende, noting that the four-month intervention would combine theoretical and practical training.
“It is an intervention programme, keying into the mantra of this present government to equip our unemployed youths with skills.
“It is a skill that drives the economy of this nation and our teaming unemployed youths rely on white-collar jobs or government jobs. So, the government of the day saw the need to engage our youths in skill development and this one is one of them.”
He disclosed that Bende secured the highest number of slots among the 150 beneficiaries selected for the programme, through the intervention of the Deputy Speaker.
“For these four months, we are going to dedicate them to the theoretical aspect of the training for two months, which we have already started, and practical training for another two months,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Kalu Chinedu Peter, from Amogwu village in Bende LGA, expressed appreciation to President Tinubu and the Deputy Speaker for bringing the programme to the area.
Another trainee, Dabara Samuel Fumilayo from Item B in Bende, also commended Kalu for facilitating the programme, describing it as an investment in the future of the beneficiaries and younger generations.
She said the knowledge acquired would not only benefit the trainees and their communities but could have a wider impact across Abia State, Nigeria and beyond.
The organisers said the training would be implemented in phases to accommodate more youths who may be interested in acquiring skills under the intervention.
