Chidi Tony/ Akwa Ibom State Governor Mr Udom Emmanuel has eulogized the European Union and Ecowas for their tireless efforts towards ensuring security of lives and peace in Nigeria through the implementation of the ECOWAS-EU Small Arms and Light Weapons disarmament programme.
At the event held yesterday at Ibom hall ground uyo, European Union, (EU) and Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS in partnership with the Leadership Initiative for Transformation and Empowerment (LITE-Africa) and the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) presented starter packs including Laptop Computers with Multipurpose Printers, Generators, Welding Machines, Barbing Equipment, Equipment for Electrical Installation, Sewing Machines and other facilities to first 50 set of Etim Ekpo / Ukanafun council areas repentant Militants who were trained in trades such as welding, electrical installation, tailoring, computer operation and others.
The Governor who was represented by Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem said “We will like to commend EU-ECOWAS for extending a hand of fellowship to the state to help this young men and women get rehabilitated and re-integrated into the larger society.
“It is a known fact that idle mind is devil’s workshop while a hungry man is an angry man.
What EU-ECOWAS has done is by first training them to acquire the right skills and also mentor them to learn how to fish than giving them just fish.
The Governor expressed happiness that the sponsors did not just taught the requisite skills and send them away but rather gave them tools to fetch for their daily need.
Emmanuel urged them to put good use of the pieces of the equipment stressing that they will no doubt succeed if they work hard.
He asked them to think big even through they are starting small. “You are like the mustard seed that grows into a big tree, I wish to see in a not long time, the consultants and the ECOWAS-EU returning to celebrate your success stories.
The Governor who was represented by Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem said “We will like to commend EU-ECOWAS for extending a hand of fellowship to the state to help this young men and women get rehabilitated and re-integrated into the larger society.
“It is a known fact that idle mind is devil’s workshop while a hungry man is an angry man.
What EU-ECOWAS has done is by first training them to acquire the right skills and also mentor them to learn how to fish than giving them just fish.
The Governor expressed happiness that the sponsors did not just taught the requisite skills and send them away but rather gave them tools to fetch for their daily need.
Emmanuel urged them to put good use of the pieces of the equipment stressing that they will no doubt succeed if they work hard.
He asked them to think big even through they are starting small. “You are like the mustard seed that grows into a big tree, I wish to see in a not long time, the consultants and the ECOWAS-EU returning to celebrate your success stories.
“The only way to express gratitude to ECOWAS-EU is to put good use of these equipment to earn a decent living.
In his opening Remarks, DrJoel Bisina Executive Director, LITE-Africa on Behalf of the ECOWAS-EU said, “We are empowering 50 beneficiaries per state today bringing the total to 100. Those benefiting today are persons trained in Barbing, Fashion and Design, Make-Up, ICT, Graphic Design and many more.
Dr Bisina expressed appreciation to the European Union (EU) through ECOWAS for supporting the ECOWAS Peace and Security Stabilisation (PASS), The Nigeria component of the Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) Action.
He highlighted that the action is aimed at preventing further proliferation of illicit trafficking and flow of SALW in Nigeria and promoting peace and security in our borders.
According to him, “The SALW Action is designed to sensitise border communities, strengthen the capacity of national security institutions personnel on border and arm stockpile management, armoury security and arms destruction as well as provision of alternative livelihoods in the Action states of Akwa-Ibom, Cross-Rivers, Kaduna, Katsina, Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states.
He expressed hope that beneficiaries will make a decent living through diligence and prudent use and management of their various business concerns urging them to desist from the temptation of selling off business start-up items because the cash you will realize from such sales will not take you too far.
He gave kudos to the Governments of Akwa Ibom and Cross River States for creating the enabling environment for them to implement the action to the present level.
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