No fewer than 300 residents of Kabusa Community in the Federal Capital Territory have acquired practical, income-generating skills under a pilot vocational programme organised by Input for Development, a non-governmental organisation.
The initiative, tagged “Operation Busy Hands,” is aimed at equipping community members with skills that can translate into small businesses, job creation and wealth generation, while supporting Nigeria’s drive toward the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Convener of the NGO, Mr Tunde Gbamgboye, said the programme was inspired by rising economic hardship and the need for the private sector to work alongside government in driving sustainable development at the grassroots.
Read also:
- NASENI innovation signals new business opportunities
- YMR fuels youth MSMEs nationwide with ₦24m growth grants
- Nigeria positions economy as SME gateway for Europe Africa trade
- Tax reforms committee engages Ombud to protect SMEs
- Cashew sector could unlock $10bn SME opportunity
He noted that empowering people within their communities would help reduce unemployment and stimulate local economies.
Participants were trained in soap and detergent production, body and hair cream making, insecticides, air fresheners, tailoring, bag-making, catering, painting and printing, among others.
The Director-General of the National Directorate of Employment, Mr Silas Agara, described the initiative as a practical response to youth unemployment and underemployment, stressing its alignment with national employment policies and the SDGs.
World Bank-assisted Community and Social Development Project in the FCT also expressed readiness to partner with the NGO to scale the programme, while beneficiaries called for start-up kits and grants to enable them launch their own small businesses.
