By Oluwakemi Kindness
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has flagged off a four-month skills development programme for 150 youths in Abia State.
The programme will equip participants with practical skills in building projects, with training running from August to November 2026.
Of the 150 trainees selected across the state, 130 are from Bende Local Government Area, with 10 participants drawn from each of the 13 political wards.
The programme includes two months of theoretical training, which is already underway, followed by two months of practical sessions.
Kalu urged the trainees to remain committed to the programme, saying certificates issued at the end of the training would be recognised nationally and internationally.
He also disclosed that job placements had been arranged for qualifying participants in the first phase of the programme.
The Deputy Speaker said the initiative was aimed at giving young people practical knowledge and skills that could provide opportunities for them beyond dependence on government or white-collar jobs.
He urged the beneficiaries to use the skills acquired to contribute to the development of Bende, Abia State and Nigeria.
A representative of Family Homes Funds Limited, Builder Ugwueri John, said the training was designed to equip unemployed youths with skills capable of supporting economic growth.
He said the programme would be implemented in phases to accommodate more interested youths.
Abia and Enugu are the two South-East states selected for the pilot phase of the intervention.
The programme is sponsored by the African Development Bank and facilitated by Family Homes Funds Limited, with support from the Office of the Deputy Speaker.
Speaking at the launch in Bende, Kalu commended the Federal Government, the African Development Bank and Family Homes Funds for supporting the youth-focused initiative.
