Abia State governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, has commissioned the Women & Youth Development Centre (Half-Way Home) jointly built by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation/Total Upstream Nigeria Limited and partners, and donated to Abia State Government as part of their corporate social responsibility.
Speaking at the event, Ikpeazu who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Barr Chris Ezem, restated the commitment of his administration to vocational training as a tool of empowerment, job creation and provision of needed manpower to drive industrial growth.
He thus promised that the facility would be judiciously used as a training ground for skills acquisition in the State.
He also stated that the centre would assist the State in its SME development pursuit, adding that SMEs and skills acquisition are the way to go with the present day economic realities.
Governor Ikpeazu expressed appreciation to NNPC, TOTAL and their partners for the gesture and said it would go a long way to create employment opportunities for the people of Abia known for their enterprise.
Also speaking, the State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Ukachi Amala, promised that every material equipment provided within the facility would be deployed to good use. She expressed delight that the centre would provide opportunities for women, youths and children to learn skills, which will help to uplift the economy of the State.
In his speech delivered via zoom, the representative of the Managing Director of NNPC, Mr. Ajakura Wokoma, said that the project was done in furtherance of the corporate social responsibilities of the NNPC.
According to him, the project in Abia State is one of the several being commissioned all over the country, adding that the projects are borne out of the need to mitigate the gaps in qualitative and technical education, maternal and child health, access to clean water and women and youth empowerment, which he said are in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
The Group General Manager, National Petroleum Investment Management Services, Bala Wunti, who equally spoke via Zoom, said the project is purpose- built, fully equipped women and youth development centre with state-of-the-art facilities, including borehole and integrated power supply system.
He enjoined all to protect and put the facility to the best use.
The Chairman Abia Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Joseph Nwabekee, expressed delight with the NNPC and their partners for making the donation and thanked them for coming to the State to build the edifice. He assured that the facility would be protected by the people
While showcasing the facility, the Project Manager, Chief Julius Imuoh, disclosed that the building has the capacity of training over 50 persons at a time with 34 sewing machines as well as a hall of about 400 capacity and well-equipped offices, ICT training unit among others.