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The Kogi State Social Investment Programme Agency (KOSSIPA) has unveiled a major skills acquisition initiative targeting over 2,000 applicants across Kogi Central, as part of efforts to boost self-reliance and reduce unemployment in the state.
The Director General of the agency, Hajiya Aishat Oyiza Omade, disclosed this during an engagement with volunteers and apprentices ahead of the My People First Foundation’s forthcoming programme. The initiative, she said, is designed to equip residents with practical and income-generating skills that can support sustainable livelihoods.
According to her, the programme will cover a broad range of vocational and digital skills, including tailoring, hairdressing, catering, computer literacy, graphic design, digital marketing, as well as technical trades such as carpentry, plumbing, electrical installation and welding. Other areas include agriculture, fish and poultry farming, soap production, shoemaking, photography and interior decoration.
Omade noted that the response to the programme had been overwhelming, with more than 1,500 offline applications and over 2,000 online registrations already recorded. She commended the high level of interest among young people, including students, who she said were showing strong commitment to becoming self-reliant.
She also praised the participation of elderly women in the programme, describing it as a clear indication that learning and personal development are not limited by age.
In a related development, the KOSSIPA boss awarded automatic scholarships to three teenagers in recognition of their passion for education. The beneficiaries are expected to pursue tertiary studies in institutions of their choice.
Omade emphasised that the initiative forms part of broader efforts to address poverty through sustainable empowerment, stressing that skill acquisition remains a viable pathway to economic independence.
She said equipping individuals with practical knowledge would not only improve livelihoods but also contribute to community development and crime reduction by engaging residents in productive ventures.
The event was attended by the Technical Adviser to the Kogi State Governor, Dr Abdullahi Ozomata, who commended the foundation for its commitment to grassroots development.
The My People First Foundation, under Omade’s leadership, has continued to implement programmes focused on human capital development and social welfare across the state.
