By Nsan Ndoma-Neji, Calabar
The Methodist Church Nigeria has concluded her skills acquisition and entrepreneurial training for dioceses in South-East region of the church.
Presenting certificates of participation to graduands, the Archbishop of Umuahia, His Grace, the Most Rev Raphael Opoko, in company of Bishops of Umauhia West and East, Rt. Rev Dr Ikechukwu Emezi Nkulo JP, and Rt. Rev V.C.Onoh, respectively lauded the church leadership under the watch of His Eminence, Dr Oliver Ali Aba, for initiating the youth empowerment and job creation programme to tackle the high rate of unemployment troubling the church and underprivileged persons in the society.
Archbishop Opoko also commended the leadership of the Diocese of Umuahia East for producing the highest number of trainees during the skills acquisition programme.
He also advised the graduates if the skills empowerment to explore every opportunity to utilize the skills acquired to better the lots of their families and the church, charging them to add value to the church and the society, and make good use of the acquired skills
Earlier, the Conference Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Coordinator, the Very Rev Ekwere Joshua, thanked God for the gallant success of the entire scheme in the South East zone.
The one-week Skills Camp, held at St. James Methodist Church Nigeria, Umuda, Diocese of Umuahia.
Very Rev Joshua, who lauded the vision and mission of the church, poured encomiums on the Prelate, His Eminence, Dr Oliver Ali Aba, describing him as the father of New Methodist Church Nigeria, with the caring concerns for members both on personal and social holiness, which is evident in the astronomical growth of the church both spiritually and numerically, and committed in creating of massive employment opportunities for the youths.
Meanwhile, the skills programme for the zone includes, cosmetology, household items, natural beverages, digital skills, fish and snail farming, among others.
The youths were in high spirit, singing loudly with jubilation, and expressing appreciation to the Prelate and the Conference Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Department for their mobilization of both material and human resources towards making the programme a huge success.
About 200 trainees benefited from the skills acquisition initiative.
