Foundation Trains 300 People in Skills Acquisition to Combat Poverty and Hardship in Imo

Amby Uneze in Owerri

Concerned by the limited economic prospects of many rural residents in Imo State, the non‑governmental organization Hope Rising For Imolites Foundation, in partnership with Pato‑Binto Entrepreneurial and Skills Acquisition Company of Abuja, has announced a training program aimed at equipping approximately 300 beneficiaries across the state's 27 local governments with practical skills.

During the opening of the two‑week training session held at the Noah’s Ark Church auditorium in Ogbor Uvuru, Aboh Mbaise Local Government, Chief Obioma Success Akagburuonye, founder of Hope Rising For Imolites Foundation, delivered the keynote address. He explained that his mission is to create sustainable livelihoods for the people of Imo by empowering them with diverse skills and mitigating the impact of national economic disparities.

Chief Akagburuonye emphasized his enduring commitment to the welfare of the community, stating that he wishes to see people “happy and able to put food on their table without waiting for crumbs falling from the table of politicians and those who do not care much about them.” He expressed confidence that, through the training, participants can become future trainers for others.

He clarified that he is not a politician who relies on political patronage, but a successful businessman whose livelihood is self‑sustained and supported by his well‑wishers.

The founder urged participants to take the opportunity seriously, saying, “learn the skills, go to your village and start something now that would benefit you, your family and others in the near future.” He also advised them to use the training effectively to achieve self‑dependence, adding, “People embezzle money when they do not have projects to spend money on; they will line their pockets and use it to buy your conscience and your vote, pay you to work against your interest and leave you regretting in your old age.”

He added, “I promised myself and I have confessed it that if I see any good thing in Imo State, I will attract it to Mbaise, if I see anything good outside Imo State, I will attract it to Imo State, and if I see anything good outside Nigeria, I will attract it to Nigeria.”

Muhammed Saheeb, Director of Project at Pato‑Binto Entrepreneurial and Skills Acquisition Company, noted that the organization has been training youths and women nationwide to become job creators rather than job seekers.

“This initiative is meant for the youths and women across the state. The programme would feature six critical departments designed to equip participants with practical, marketable, and income‑generating skills,” he said.

He outlined that the training will cover makeup artistry, providing women and young girls with professional makeup techniques that offer substantial business opportunities; event decoration, exposing participants to event planning and management; catering and pastry production, teaching the preparation of pastries, snacks, and various African dishes for employment and entrepreneurship; and the production of household chemicals such as detergents, liquid soaps, disinfectants, and other cleaning agents for personal and commercial use, as well as paint manufacturing.

Saheeb added that the theoretical component of the programme would focus on entrepreneurship education, business management, and enterprise development. “Entrepreneurship education has become a major vehicle for nation‑building. No nation can thrive without entrepreneurs,” he stated.