By Success Enuma
OBIARUKU/Nigeria: More than 250 beneficiaries from Ukwuani Local Government Area of Delta State have completed a seven-day vocational and digital skills acquisition programme organised by the Ndokwa Association United Kingdom (NAUK) London 2, in partnership with YouthGrow Foundation, with the organisers expressing plans to make the initiative an annual programme across the three Ndokwa local government areas.
The beneficiaries received certificates on Saturday, October 31, 2026, at Obiaruku Town Hall, following practical training in leatherwork, fashion design, beauty essentials, baking and pastry production, home-care product manufacturing, information and communication technology, graphic design, videography and other vocational skills.
The programme tagged “Inspiring the Youths: Skills for a Sustainable Future,” was designed to equip participants with practical competencies that could support self-employment, entrepreneurship and improved livelihoods.
The graduation ceremony brought together community leaders, parents, trainers, beneficiaries and other guests to mark the completion of the training.
Speaking at the event, President of NAUK London 2 and Chairman of the occasion, Chief Comrade Ambassador Columbus Ifeanyichukwu Ossai, congratulated the graduates for taking advantage of the opportunity to acquire skills that could improve their economic prospects.
Ossai, said the initiative was conceived to equip people with practical knowledge that could encourage self-reliance, reduce unemployment and contribute to community development.
He explained that the training provided participants with hands-on experience and the opportunity to develop competencies that could be applied to productive ventures and income-generating activities.
The NAUK London 2 president urged the graduates to demonstrate discipline, creativity and determination in putting their newly acquired skills into practice. He also commended YouthGrow Foundation, the trainers and other contributors for their roles in delivering the programme.
Ossai disclosed that the association would explore further interventions, including possible cash grants and starter packs, to support graduates in establishing businesses with the skills acquired.
In her keynote address, Dr Ossai Chiyenugo, a Political Science and International Relations scholar at Novena University, Ogume, highlighted the importance of practical skills development in addressing unemployment and economic challenges.
She urged the beneficiaries to identify their individual strengths, develop areas of interest and make productive use of the opportunities provided by the training. She also commended the organisers for bringing the initiative to the community.
Special Adviser to NAUK London 2, Mrs Fumilayo Ishiekwene, appreciated the association for maintaining its connection with communities back home through programmes intended to improve livelihoods. She also appealed for continued support for beneficiaries through interventions that would help them apply their newly acquired skills.
One of the speakers and Project Coordinator, Ifem Azaka, popularly known as Ada Ukwuani, spoke on the importance of promoting Ukwuani language and cultural heritage through performing arts. Azaka, from Utagba-Uno in Ndokwa West Local Government Area, has also been involved in similar skills development initiatives in Ndokwa East and Ndokwa West.
Two beneficiaries, Chukwunomnazu Favour and Onyenwenu Victory, described the training as rewarding, expressing appreciation to the organisers and trainers for the opportunity to acquire practical knowledge and develop skills they could use to improve their livelihoods.
The organisers said the programme was intended to become a yearly initiative across Ndokwa East, Ndokwa West and Ukwuani local government areas. This year’s activities reached communities in Kwale and Ashaka in Ndokwa East, Kwale and other areas in Ndokwa West, as well as Obiaruku in Ukwuani.
They expressed appreciation to members of the Ndokwa Association in the United Kingdom across its chapters in London, Manchester, Birmingham and Scotland for supporting the initiative through donations raised at a fundraising dinner and gala held late last year.
The project was coordinated by a team with responsibilities covering training, logistics, team management and programme delivery.
Eboh Ishioma Goodluck of YouthGrow Foundation served as Project Lead on Training. Kester Enuma, popularly known as Don Kes, from Kwale in Ndokwa West Local Government Area, was the Project Management Lead on Logistics and Team Management.
Onyekachuku Joan Josiah, from Ika, served as Lead Project Coordinator and Team Manager, and live in Port Harcourt, while Ifem Azaka of Utagba-Uno, Ndokwa West, was Project Coordinator and Speaker.
The trainers and their areas of responsibility included Emeke Cynthia Joveth of Umutu, Head of Beauty Essentials, covering make-up, nail technology and hairstyling; Eboh Ishioma Goodluck of YouthGrow Foundation, Obiaruku, Head of Information and Communication Technology and Graphic Design; and Enudi Ogechi of Umutu, who handled make-up under Beauty Essentials.
Ajede Success of Obiaruku, Ukwuani, served as Deputy Head of Fashion Design, while Ogodu Chukwunalu of Umuaja, was Head of Videography.
Uche Juliet of Obi Obeti handled Baking Essentials, while Enuebuke Christabel of Umutu was responsible for Nail Technology.
Nwadi Lucky Oynebuwa of Ashaka, Ndokwa East, served as Head of Grooming Essentials and Hair Barbering. Odogwu Jennifer Adaeze of Umutu was Head of Fashion Design, while Anioba Esther Ngozi, also of Umutu, led Home-care Essentials, including soap-making and perfumery.
Emujowho Collins of Obiaruku, served as Head of Leatherworks, while Okolo Otomi Fidelia of Umutu was the Lead in Pastry’s/Baking Essentials, including snack production.
The organisers credited the project management team and trainers drawn from the different communities for their contributions to the successful delivery of the seven-day programme.
They explained that the initiative deliberately engages trainers from each local government area where the programme is implemented, as part of efforts to utilise local talents, encourage community participation and strengthen grassroots capacity. The approach also ensures that the benefits extend beyond the trainees to the communities hosting the programme.
Looking ahead, the organisers said they planned to sustain the initiative as an annual programme across Ndokwa East, Ndokwa West and Ukwuani local government areas, providing more residents with opportunities to acquire practical skills, pursue self-employment and contribute to local economic development.
