The Rotary Club of Lugbe FHA has launched an eight-week skills acquisition programme for students of Government Secondary School, Lugbe in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to foster self-reliance and community development.
The initiative, which coincided with Rotary Community Development Month and the International Day of the Girl Child, was aimed at equipping young minds with practical vocational training.
The programme, which commenced on Friday, will train students in diverse fields such as liquid soap making, shoemaking, baking, and other entrepreneurial crafts. The goal is to provide participants with viable skills that transcend conventional academic learning.
Speaking at the launch, the President of the Rotary Club of Lugbe FHA, Rotn Tumise Adepoju, outlined the project’s broad impact.
“Our goal is to empower at least 50 beneficiaries from the community, including Interactors and Corps members, with basic skills that will help them become productive members of society.
“We are also using this opportunity to appreciate teachers for their good work. Furthermore, this event aligns with World Mental Health Day, as empowerment is crucial for the well-being of our children,” he said.
The programme garnered support from corporate partners, including the Webmarks Group, with its representative, Ugochinyere Aluko, commending Rotary’s efforts, and emphasising the timeless value of skills.
“Skills are assets that cannot be taken from a person. With skills, you can become anything you want to be.
“We believe it is important that children, apart from receiving a regular education, also learn vocational skills to improve themselves and contribute to society,” she said.
Also, the District President for Interact Clubs, Rotn Cathrine Ada, highlighted the importance of early exposure to entrepreneurship.
“I am very excited about this programme because our society often focuses more on paper qualifications and forgets how important vocations are.
“If these students are taught and are ready to learn, they will acquire skills that will benefit them immensely, boosting their CVs and their confidence for future opportunities,” she said.
In addition to the empowerment drive, the club also demonstrated its commitment to education by awarding scholarships to three orphans from the school.
This humanitarian gesture ensures that the beneficiaries will receive continued educational support, underscoring Rotary’s holistic approach to youth development.
The event concluded on a high note, with participants expressing enthusiasm for the training, which promises to shape them into self-reliant individuals and future job creators.
