The Skill Acquisition Program developed by the University of Port-Harcourt aims at developing skills in the the youth (from 18-30) of the Niger Delta, where the university is located, in the Choba and Aluu communities, precisely. The youth selected were trained in various vocational skills such as snail making, GSM (mobile phone) repair and maintenance and snack making. Local instructors (facilitators) were selected by SIFE Team – university students who aim to make a difference in their communities while developing the skills to become socially responsible business leaders and picked for the training of these youth. The training lastes for 4 weeks after which an assessment is carried out by the trainers and a total of seven persons were selected for a cash award to set up their own businesses.
Nigeria is Africa’s most populous state, and has endured six successful and numerous failed military coups, a civil war that cost well over a million lives, three inconclusive transitions to democracy and recurrent factional violence. The country has abundant human and natural resources but still struggles with mass impoverishment.
The Niger Delta is one of the most oil-rich areas, where growing tensions are a direct result of decades of environmental harm and political neglect. Consequently, poverty and inequality strike most of the population, the youth in particular, because of lack of education and practical skills. As a result, crime and youth vandalism are common side affects of their idle hands.
The Skill Acquisition Programme developed by the University of Port-Harcourt aims at manpowering the youths (from 18-30) of the Niger Delta, where the University is located, in Choba and Aluu communities precisely. The youth selected were trained in various vocational skills such us snail making, GSM (mobile phone) repair and maintenance and, snacks making. Local instructors (facilitators) were selected by SIFE Team –university students who aim to make a difference in their communities while developing the skills to become socially responsible business leaders (http://delicious.com/guniobs)- and used for the training. The training lasted for 4 weeks after which an assessment was carried out by the trainers and a total of seven persons were selected for cash award to set up their own business.
The objective of the practice was to develope in the unemployed in the youth of the community values that would them profitably engage their time in order to reduce violence which is believed to be a result of involuntary inactivity. Additionally, the practice aims at training and empowering youths to improve on their overall economic standing.
Community need assessment was carried out in order to ascertain the needs of the communities.
The project was designed and tailored to meet the needs of the communities.
The SIFE team members were divided into various skill groups for proper project management.
The university team searched for local instructors (facilitators) in the various skills chosen.
The university team targeted and grouped audiences into the various skill groups.
Training commenced as planned with the time frame in mind.
The best participants in each skill group were given funds to start up their business at an award ceremony.
The main quantitative results were:
Number of training courses: 3
Number of youths that participated: the available funds limited the number of youth with who the project worked to 30 over 500.
The main qualitatively results were:
The population perception was actually positively affected. They turned to see money as a reward for service rendered. Now they can put some skills to work and get money as a profit.
During the planning and implementation stage, the university team did not take note that they could build personal relationship with the project addresses, but after the practice, personal relationship and friendship were formed.
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