AWACIO

This report summarizes the skill training activities and the graduation ceremony of the trainees, in Anambra Central.
Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and AWACIO partnered in this skill acquisition and empowerment training in Anambra state to meet SDG goals. It is believed that empowering young people is an important step towards poverty reduction, and improving the economy of a nation.
CBN, under the umbrella of her Corporate Social Responsibility(CSR) goals, sponsored this skill acquisition and empowerment program to meet AWACIO’s capacity building goal and poverty reduction in Anambra Central district.
AWACIO, upon commencing the program, kicked off the process by registering and selecting qualified trainees to train. The trainees were expected to meet the minimum criteria of being indigenes of Anambra Central district. There were over ninety (90) trainee registrants. AWACIO’s desired target was fifty (50). These ninety (90) registrants were put through the elimination process. The elimination process began by removing those who were absent from training on the first day by automatic disqualification. The remaining registrants were given test and those who failed were disqualified. The rest of the trainees were allowed to move to their skills of their choice and then grouped into “Actives” and Standbys” based on their scores on the test. Those who were grouped into  “Actives” qualified to receive starter packs and certificates while  the “Standbys” received only certificates but would qualify for starter packs if any active trainee dropped out or was disqualified.
Different criteria were used to eliminate or qualify trainees. One aspect was commitment or lack of focus. The others were diligence, trace of sluggishness, and exhibition of zeal to make money. The following were the skills used for training: Phone repair, Tailoring, Tile laying, Pastry and Decoration, Barbing, Commercial grinding, and Cosmetics and Saloon.
The trainees were finally reduced to a final count of fifty-eight (58). From this number, the candidates were formally introduced to their trainers.
The final constitution was eight (8) Standbys and fifty (50) Actives. At graduation, the eight (8) Standbys received only certificates and no starter packs while the fifty Actives received both certificates and starter packs. The training was monitored on a daily basis for six weeks. Evaluation and monitoring were done by field representatives, coordinators, and trainers.
During the six weeks training, the trainees were trained on financial management, and the health, safety, and environment (HSE) policy was reviewed with each of  them.
The graduation ceremony was performed on Wednesday, October 11, 2023. The event took place at the Ebe Umueze Community Hall in Enugwu-ukwu, Njikoka Local Government Area in Anambra State. At graduation, the trainees wore white t-shirts and caps and were seated on the right side of the hall according to skills.
The ceremony which started with the National Anthem, was successfully carried out.
Following graduation, photos were taken with trainees, trainers, and the VIP dignitaries that attended the ceremony .
Some photos of the event are shown below: