Imansuagbon Urges Stakeholders To Emulate Obaseki's Youth Empowerment Programme

By Simeon OSAJIE

.      Barr. Kenneth Imansuagbon with 

Chief (Dr) Sam Igbe, Initiator CEDDI Centre

Founder/Chairman, Board of Directors, Pace Setters Schools, Abuja and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stalwart in Edo State, Barrister Kenneth Imansuangbon popularly called "Riceman", has once again eulogised the good work of Mr. Godwin Obaseki, the executive governor of Edo State for creating enabling environment for Skills Acquisition Centres to strive so that youths of the state can be engaged in productive venture.

Barr. Imansuagbon made the call on the occasion of the 5th Graduation/Matriculation/9th Anniversary Ceremony of Centre for Edo Delta Development Initiative (CEDDI) held in Benin City.

"The situation of unemployment in this country and around the world is worrisome, therefore any initiative to keep our youths off the street should ordinarily be supported by wells meaning individuals," he added.

.         Barr. Kenneth Imansuagbon

           Chairman of the Occasion

According to Imansuagbon who was the chairman of the occasion,  “I am informed that CEDDI Skills Acquisition Centre and Diabetic Care Clinic started as an itinerant concept where healthcare and vocational skills such as Cosmetology, Catering, Beauty care etc are brought to the doorstep of the people who are among the not-so-privileged.

“This idea was a response to the pervasive problem of poverty, hunger, joblessness and sickness among the people.

“This initiative has grown since the last nine years with several landmark achievements and expenditure running to over N500 million.

.         Graduands with some of the                     Empowerment Items in their front

“I am very proud of our father, the Iyase of Benin Kingdom, Chief (Dr) Sam Udiyinwe Igbe and other members of the board, partners and friends of CEDDI Skills Acquisition Centre and Diabetic Clinic, who have kept the dream of this initiative alive. 

"Through this initiative, thousands of our people have been given livelihood skills and empowered to set up their own businesses, as well as the Diabetic Clinic which is the first of it’s kind in the country.

“This private initiative, I must say, is also in line with the desire of His Excellency, Governor Godwin Obaseki, in ensuring that the youths of the state are engaged in productive ventures by provision of skills and vocational centres in the state."

.       Some of the Empowerment Items

He thereafter encouraged the graduands to take cue from the opportunities provided by CEDDI to better their lives.

“I want to encourage our graduands to take advantage of these opportunities provided by CEDDI to better their lives. After one year of training, today is the day many of you have been looking forward to and I am sure you will not be disappointed."

Going further,  Barr. Imansuagbon thanked Governor Godwin Obaseki for creating the enabling environment for skill acquisition centres to strive in the state.

“I must thank the Governor, His Excellency, Godwin Obaseki, for creating this enabling environment for this initiative to strive. I want to call on other Edo State stakeholders to take a cue from this initiative from our Governor Godwin Obaseki and our father, Chief Sam Igbe.”

In his speech, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Marcus Onobun, assured that the legislature would always be supportive of the programme whenever the need arises. 

.                 Chief (Dr) Sam Igbe

The Iyase of Benin Initiator, CEDDI Centre

Earlier in his welcome address, the Initiator of the programme, Chief Sam Igbe, urged the graduands to always keep the flag flying by ensuring that they put to good use all that they learnt in the course of undergoing the training

Barrister Imansuagbon supported the Skills Acquisition Centre with N1,000,000 (One Million Naira) only.

.  Barr. Kenneth Imansuagbon presenting

     Keys of Already Equipped Store and               Receipt of 1Year Rent to the Best                 2020/2021 CEDDI Centre Student

Highlights of the event were entertainment of guests by a Benin Cultural Troupes with their carefully chronograph footsteps and the graduands showcasing their products made while in the Acquisition Centre.

.     Speaker Onobun Handing over Keys 

         of Already Equipped Store to one 

                    of the Beneficiaries

Four from the graduands in various departments went home with already equipped stores with one year paid rent  while some went home with Sewing Machines, Cosmetology, Catering and Beauty Care Equipments from the CEDDI centre.