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AWKA – Obosi Innovative Skill and Empowerment Programme (OBISEP) has trained and graduated no fewer than 350 vocational Skilled Entrepreneurs.
The training tagged: “Obosi 1 Household 2 Skills Project” , was a brain child of the Obosi Development Union(ODU) Skills Acquisition, Empowerment and Palliative(SAEP) Committee worldwide.
But OBISEP Entrepreneurship Training was put together in partnership with Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria(SMEDAN) Anambra State office.
The grand finale which took place at the Obosi Town Hall on Tuesday, 21st October, 2025 had initially offered 31 vocational skills spanning 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 to the graduands.
In his opening remarks, President General , Obosi Development Union,(ODU), Chidozie Obi, a Lawyer, expressed gratitude to the state Governor, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo for giving Ndi Obosi the opportunity to serve in his administration through the appointments of the state’s Commissioner for Works and that of Igwe Obosi as the current Chairman of Anambra state Traditional Rulers Council.
Obi noted that the reason behind the programme was to equip and engage Ndi Obosi who are unemployed with gainful vocational skills that will make them become productive to themselves and the society.
He said that the programme had no direct allocation for the project but was being sustained through collective and voluntary efforts of sons and daughters of Obosi who deemed it neccessary to achieve the noble goal.
He particularly commended a son of the community, Barrister Emeka Uyammadu and others too numerous to mention for their sponsorships.
He called on the graduands to be dedicated to their newly acquired skills and never relent but show an act of seriousness for the gains to manifest in earnest.
The Convener and Chairman, OBISEP, Nze Hon. Chisom Tim. Onugha had in his remarks explained that the programme was a community self help driven project aimed at improving the living standards of Ndi Obosi.
“In December last year, we graduated 500 citizens of the town who were successfully trained with a sample of the 32 skills during which 15 viable ones within the area were chosen”, he said.
He said that these graduates were among part of those enrolled into the programme who have successfully acquired the entrepreneurial and vocational skills.
He commended the state’s 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 for the programme to encourage other communities in the state to 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 the project which is Enterprise Mentorship that will last 6 months, which would prepare them operate formal businesses efficiently to have access to more credit.
According to the operational guidelines, an initial fifty percent of their respective Starter-up package shall be given to them individually, while the remaining fifty percent will be given three months into this Mentorship period upon a 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 other people out there would be looking up to emulate them, and harped on the need
to take their businesses serious and ensure that what is learnt is being practicalized.
The State Commissioner for Information, Dr Law Mefor who represented his principal, Prof Charles Chukwuma Soludo expressed satisfaction for OBISEP’s mantle of leadership in support of Governor Soludo’ s re election bid.
He stressed that Obosi had shown remarkable footsteps worthy of emulation by other communities.
“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 100 skilled persons for the 179 communities in a year, in 10 years we will be able to chase away hunger”, he said.
He thanked OBISEP and the Obosi Development Union (ODU) for setting an example while assuring the trainers that Govenor Soludo will assist them for other communites to emulate.
However, the Traditional Ruler of Obosi, Igwe Chidubem Iweka 111 represented by Chief Sir. Okechukwu Mgbemena (Uzzi Obosi) offered prayers, blessings and congratulatory messages to the invaluable performance of ODU – SAEP Committee as well as good will wishes to all the successful OBISEP graduates.
He emphasized the need for the State government to provide massive logistics support to Obosi community and other communities that have initiated same initiative.
Okanu Adaobi, , a graduate of catering said though she had already graduated in another discipline but found the need acquire practical skills to help herself, adding that now engages in our door catering services at events and ceremonies.
A confectioner, Odinike chinyere 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”, she said.
One of the master trainers on poultry farming and management who pleaded anonymity 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 assistance would be rendered 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 excellence performance on Humanity and Community Services to Nze Hon. Chisom .T . Onugha(Ebube-Ife) the Chairman, ODU Skills Acquisition, Empowerment and Palliatives(SAEP) Committee Worldwide by His Majesty Igwe Chidubem Iweka 111 ably represented by Chief Sir. Okechukwu Mgbemena (Uzzi Obosi) on behalf of Obosi Graduates Forum Worldwide. Also, there was presentation of cheques and certification to the new graduates.
The best performing graduates in different skills were presented with some tools as gifts by Mrs Ebele Ononihu, Director Agency for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non- Formal Education, Ministry of Education Anambra State.
