Nigeria: BATN Foundation Donates Vocational Centre to Ndikelionwu

Source from:  All Africa 12/01/2010

Awka - Governor Peter Obi of Anambra state has commissioned a vocational Training Centre donated by the British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation (BATN FOUNDATION) to the people of Ndikelionwu , Orumba North local government area, Anambra state. Governor Obi represented by his deputy, Engr. Emeka Sibeudu at the ceremony thanked BATN Foundation for keyinginto the developmental strides of Governor Obi who is developing all sectors simultaneously and thanked those who contributed in ensuring that the project became a reality. He appealed to the villagers to make proper use and of the centre even as he urged parents to allow their wards benefit from the largess of the British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation. He encouraged youths desiring to abandon the village to the cities to better their lives yet without a plan of how to actualize some set goals to relax in Nigeria and be more committed in their duty posts. He announced that Governor Obi had directed that the data of all the boreholes should be articulated and assessed to be able to discover failed ones and activate them as all must be functional. He noted that the recruitment of teachers was still on going but was suspended when some illegal dealings were complained of during the recruitment exercise. Sibeudu called on the electorates to come out en mass and register during the re-scheduled voters register since it is a right so to do and have a card to either bring in a good government or throw away bad government. Executive Director of the BATN Foundation, Gbenga Ibikunle said the Vocational Centre was constructed and equipped by BATN Foundation as the first in the South-Eastern Nigeria. He noted that vocational Enterprise , training and education complements formal education as obtainable in Asia. Ibikunle noted that for Nigeria to solve its myriads of economic problems youth unemployment and low productivity, there was need to replicate the South-East Asian countries model through the establishment of vocational institutions. He added that many who could not gain admission into the conventional University should avail themselves of the opportunity. The Executive Director disclosed that BATN Foundation had 100 projects scattered in the 36 states and Abuja in its four focal areas of provision of water, Agricultural projects, Vocational centers and Environmental issues in line with the 8 agenda of the Federal Government on Millennium Development Goals (MDG'S). He said vocational centers were more than 30 even as he appealed to the traditional ruler of Ndikelionwu , Eze Prof Chukwuemeka Ike to liaise with the state director of the National Directorate of Employment, (NDE), Mr. M.O Mbata for the training of the students of the centre. He noted that all their efforts were targeted at reducing extreme poverty and employment creation. He said the centre was multidisciplinary equipped to cater for trainings in information Technology and computer studies, cookery and soap making. He prayed for the sustainability of the community, thanking the Monarch for donating the building that was renovated and equipped at no cost. He charged them to save the property for their own children. He said he donated his bungalow he built in 1964 for his parents for economic benefits when he was a Registrar at UNN, free of charge and named it the Charles and Dinah Ike Center in memory of his late parents. In whose memory, he built the house. He thanked BATN Foundation for their magnanimity and to his people noting that the gesture would contribute significantly to the economic transformation of his people. He assured that the project would not end up as impacting skills but would demonstrate in practical terms how each skill can empower the community economically. Member Representing Orumba North in the state House of Assembly, Hon Uhenna Ogbonna appealed for intervention on the road to their farm to enable them continue feeding Anambra people and thanked Governor Obi for the much he has done for the community. Enditem