The Oja Foundation, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), has embarked on economic empowerment skills in shoe making and leather works for internally displaced persons in Gongola Camp, Gwarimpa, Abuja.
The Foundation’s President, Mr Adegoke Kofoworola, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Friday in Abuja, said a week-long intensive training was organised at the camp.
“The IDPs residents in Gongola have received one week intensive skills acquisition on shoe making and leather works by Oja Foundation.
“Our NGO seized the initiative to empower the less privileged, most especially at the IDP camps, in order to give them permanent cure from poverty.
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“Our target is to make them financially independent and become employers of labour.
“We believe such gesture will greatly reduce their tendency for crime, and help beneficiaries contribute positively to their host community and nation at large,’’ he said.
One of the training facilitators, Mr Alabi Friday said plans were in place to follow up on the beneficiaries.
“After the training, we will be coming to check on them like in two months’ time.
“That will help us to identify those who have passion; those who are very productive in the field will be provided with ‘Start Up’,’’ he said.
Some of the beneficiaries, who spoke with NAN, commended the foundation for choosing their camp and for providing them with the means of livelihood.
Mr Joseph Jaru, Gongola IDP Camp Chairman, expressed appreciation to Oja Foundation for the empowerment.
“This shoe making brought to this IDP Camp and our community has made the people here very happy. In fact, this is an avenue to create jobs, also means of earning a living for us,” he added.
NAN reports that governments and NGOs in the country have been committed to supporting and developing IDPs while in camps to be economically empowered for proper integration when they return to their communities. (NAN)
