The First lady of Anambra State Chief (Mrs.) Ebelechukwu Obiano
has assured the Director of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Anambra State
Mrs. Inyang Bassey Ekpe of her readiness to partner with NYSC in furtherance of
the skills acquisition programmes of her pet project Caring Family Enhancement
Initiative (CAFÉ). Mrs. Obiano gave the assurance when the director led the
NYSC team on a courtesy visit to her office at Government House Awka.
Chief Mrs. Obiano said that she is thrilled that NYSC intervention
goes beyond the Orientation programmes for Corpers to include empowerment
initiatives which are in line with CAFE activities. According to Mrs. Obiano,
“rest assured that we will work together in skills acquisition which my pet
project CAFÉ is currently doing by training women in various skills. I believe
that not only graduates are meant to acquire skills; now your people will
collaborate with us to train others to be useful to themselves and the
society.”
The Wife of the Governor restated her belief that Youth Corpers
can assist her in the ongoing empowerment programmes. She noted that the more
people she is able to get engaged the less the crime rate in the state. “I
thank God for my husband His Excellency Chief Willie Obiano’s foresight and
approach to crime fighting. The improved security in Anambra is attracting
investors and ensuring that our children serving here are living freely and are
secure.” She stated. Mrs. Obiano also told the Director that CAFÉs’ collaboration with
NYSC in the area of education will include weekend and evening classes for
women who could not attend regular classes. She observed that whether one is
trading or engaged in other petty ventures you need some knowledge to be able
to count your earnings.
Earlier the NYSC Director told Mrs. Obiano that the NYSC is happy
with Governor Obiano because he has shown that he is NYSC friendly. “The
Governor made it a priority to secure and protect NYSC participants in the state,
and we note with satisfaction that almost all Corpers got accommodated while
those who did not get are paid in lieu of accommodation.” She stated.
Speaking further Mrs. Bassey Ekpe told Mrs. Obiano “we came to
appreciate you and your husband for the good work you are doing and to propose
partnership with you in your empowerment projects, skills acquisition and
community development. We teach the Corpers and afterwards they go into the
community to teach others.”
She also explained that the NYSC has Health groups with capacity
to render house-to-house medical support in the rural areas and Mass Literacy
programme as well as skills acquisition training in tailoring, shoe-making,
fishery, and can tap into the agric programme of the government.