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OBISEP Graduate 350 Skilled Entrepreneurs

...call for Government support on sustainabilityFrom Uchenna Ezeadigwe AwkaThe Obosi Innovative Skill and Empowerment Programme (OBISEP) have graduated no fewer than three hundred and fifty vocational Skilled Entrepreneurs. The training which was tagged Obosi 1 Household 2 Skills Project a brain child of the Obosi Development Union(ODU) Skills Acquisition, Empowerment and Palliative(SAEP) Committee worldwide. This OBISEP Entrepreneurship Training is put together in partnership with Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria(SMEDAN) Anambra State office, News Echo reports. The grand finale which took place at the Obosi Town Hall on Tuesday, 21th.Oct, 2025 had initially offered Thirty one(31) Vocational Skills to the Graduands such as: Confectionery/Decorations, Solar energy/CCTV Installation, Basic ICT/ Digital Marketing,Cosmetology, Fashion/Cloth Making, Beauty Care/Gele, Poultry/Fishery, Cassava/Yam Production Value chain, Block/Bricks Moulding, Electrical Works/Installation among others.Speaking during the opening remark, President General Obosi Development Union, Barrister Chidozie Obi, thanked governor Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo for giving Ndi Obosi the opportunity to serve in his administration through the appointment of Commissioner of work and reappointment of Igwe Obosi as the Chairman of all traditional rulers in Anambra state. Barrister Obi noted that the reason behind this programme was as a result of equipping and engaging ndi Obosi who are unemployed with gainful vocational skills that will make them become productive both to themselves and the society.He stressed that there was no allocation for the project but through combined and voluntary efforts of sons and daughters of Obosi who deemed it neccessary to achieve this goals while particularly commended Barrister Emeka Uyammadu for sponsorship and others whose name are numerous to mention. He called on the graduands to be dedicated to their newly acquired skills and never relent but show an act of seriousness as the gains will soon manifest. Speaking at the opening remark, the Convener and Chairman, OBISEP, Nze Hon. Chisom Tim. Onugha explained that the programme is a community self help driven project aimed at improving the living standards of Ndi Obosi. "At December we graduated five hundred who were successfully trained with a sample of thirty one skills which fifteen was chosen as the one that are viable within the area. Chisom noted that these graduates were enrolled into the Entrepreneurial skills while three hundred and fifty have successfully passed through the entrepreneurial and vocational skills.He commended the Commissioner for Youths and Development, Hon Patrick Agha Mba for his promise to adopt cum recruit the OBISEP Master Trainers into the Anambra 1 Youth 2 Skills Project as a way of his support and encouragement to sustain Obosi 1 Household 2 Skills Project.Hon Onugha however, appealed to the state government to lay a sustainable support so that other communities can emulate as well as adopt this kind of programme undertaken in Obosi. "With this programme we can solve societal problems and reduce criminal activities. We will be able to keep our youths busy, he added.He emphasized that these Graduates will now get into the next stage of this project which is Enterprise Mentorship that last 6 months, which would prepare them operate formal business and efficiently to have access to more credit. According to the operational guidelines, an initial fifty percent of their respective Starter-up package shall given to them individually, while remaining fifty percent will be given three months into this Mentorship period upon satisfactory clearance by ODU SAEP-Committee in order to minimize mismanagement or misappropriation by the Graduates.He called on the newly certified graduates to remember that there are other people looking up to emulate them. Adding the need to take their businesses serious and ensure that what is learnt is being practicalized. Speaking, Professor Charles Soludo ably represented by the Commissioner for Information, Dr Law Mefor expressed satisfaction for OBISEP's mantle of leadership in support of Governor Soludo re election bid. He stressed that Obosi have showed a remarkable footsteps worthy of emulation by other communites. "Other communities are doing empowerment but Obosi is unique through the mantra Obosi one Household 2 skills Project. If every community in Anambra will produce one hundred skilled persons for the one hundred and seventy nine communities in a year, in ten years we will be able to chase away hunger". He thanked OBISEP and the Obosi Development Union (ODU) for setting an example while assuring the trainers that govenor Charles Soludo will assist them for other communites to emulate. He reminded them that November 8th election is the day and the state government is ready to win the entire poling unit. "Our success will work if we all will come out that day and ensure that the votes counts", he stated.However, the traditional ruler of Obosi, Igwe Chidubem Iweka 111 ably represented by Chief Sir. Okechukwu Mgbemena (Uzzi Obosi) offered prayers blessings and congratulatory messages the invaluable performance of ODU SAEP Committee as well good will wishes to all the successful OBISEP Graduands. And emphasized the need for the State Government under the leadership of Prof Chukwuma Soludo to provide massive logistics support to Obosi community and other communities that have initiated same initiative.In their seperate remarks from the graduates, Okanu Adaobi, Opara Precious, a graduate of catering said though she is a graduate she can now boost of a hand work and can be able to cook for events and ceremonies with ease.A confectioner, Odinike chinyere a returnee from nnewi said she was jobless until she heard about the programme. Though the programme was tedious, now I am proud to produce different snacks and I get contracts now and deliver.One of the master trainers on poultry said the training was a huge success which also exposed her to meeting people, connections and contracts. She however assured that with the help of other master trainers, more voluntary sister will be renderd when needed. Other high points of the event were the inspection of Exhibition Stands of the Graduates by the Guests, presentation of distinguished Award of excellenct performance on Humanity and Community Services to the Nze Hon Chisom T Onugha(Ebube-Ife) the Chairman, ODU Skills Acquisition, Empowerment and Palliatives(SAEP) Committee Worldwide by the His Majesty Igwe Chidubem Iweka 111 ably represented by Chief Sir. Okechukwu Mgbemena (Uzzi Obosi) on behalf of Obosi Graduates Forum Worldwide. Also, presentation of cheques and certification to the new graduands. The best performing Graduates in different skills were presented with some tools as gifts by the Mrs Ebele Ononihu, Director Agency for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non- Formal Education, Ministry of Education Anambra State