After successfully graduating the pioneer set of beneficiaries of the Women Empowerment Programme (WEP), the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at Nigeria in collaboration with Humanity First Nigeria and Canada has inaugurated the second batch of trainees.
A total number of 22 female candidates had been admitted to undergo a three-month residential Vocational and Manpower Training Programme at Jamia Ahmadiyya Ilaro Ogun State.
It would be recalled that the Muslim organization kick-started the skill acquisition programme last year with a view to promote poverty alleviation programme and ameliorate the economic condition of the people.
Unlike the first batch of trainees, the second batch will not only be trained on sewing and crafts making but will also undergo training in Catering. Ten candidates will be trained in Fashion Designing. Seven candidates will focus on Hand Crafts while five candidates will garner catering skills. Their graduation has been fixed for April 2020.
In his keynote address at the programme, the Amir (National President) of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at Nigeria, Alhaji (Barr.) Alatoye Folorunso Azeez described the training as a blessed and divine arrangement devoid of worldly motives, promising that male counterparts will soon benefit from the scheme.
“VMDC is one of the Skill Acquisition Programmes of Humanity First International. Hence the collaboration between Humanity First Nigeria and Humanity First Canada to empower the youths. Notably, it is the implementation of one of the instructions of the Supreme Head of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community – working towards financial independence.
“It should be pointed out that the scheme is a divine one with so many blessings. Jama’at programmes had been blessed in so many ways. By having adequate financial provisions, we will be able to serve Almighty God better. The next two batches may likely be for the male wing.”
While appreciating the major financiers of the programme, Barrister Alatoye urged the beneficiaries to be diligent, disciplined, obedient and also show respect to their tutors and Lajna Imaillah (Female Wing) leaders. He vowed that the Jama’at will continue to support them even after graduation.
Objectives of VMDC
The Chairman VMDC, Alhaji Mufadhil Bankole who serves as the Naib Amir (Deputy National President) Finance and Administration, in his welcome address, reiterated that the major objective of the Scheme is to provide the needed skills for our teeming graduates thereby making them financially independent and reducing the number of unemployed youths.
”The primary responsibility of every government is to make adequate provision for her citizens in the area of food, health, and shelter. But it is not the case in our country. This is why we have many unemployed graduates to the extent that graduates now resort to motorcycle operators while some engage in fraudulent acts.
“Shall we all fold our arms and watch as the problem multiply year-in year-out.? That is what prompted the decision of our immediate past National President, Prof. Mashhud Fashola to establish what is then called Economic Empowerment and Development Committee (EEDC). The main aim of the promoter was and still to assist some of our members to acquire some skills. Skills that do not require so much capital to set up and become self-independent at least to meet up with some basic needs. The programme commenced on 10th January 2019 with 12 students in the field of fashion design and art-craft and concluded in April 2019. Alhamdulillah.
“As a result of the success recorded in Batch One, the Humanity First Nigeria in collaboration with Humanity First Canada whose objective is to identify the less privileged with the aim of assisting them, decided to partner and key into the project by sponsoring the 2nd Batch that we are inaugurating today.”
Alhaji Bankole thanked the Amir for his support for the programme both financially and morally and advised the students to take very good care of all the equipment and tools so that subsequent members will also benefit.
Activities of Humanity First International
The Chairman, Humanity First Nigeria, Dr. Yaqeen Habeeb who was ably represented by the National Secretary, Alhaji Dauda Raji gave a brief profile of the non-governmental organization as well as its numerous activities globally.
He said the organization was established in the United Kingdom in 1995 and it has spread to over 52 Countries of the world with the objectives of strengthening people’s capacity to enhance themselves, providing relief to people affected by disasters and promoting peace and understanding among the people.
Activities of the body, according to him include women empowerment, knowledge for life, the gift of sight, water for all, medical services, disaster service, food for life, orphan care, among others.
He said more than 10 orphans had benefitted from the organization while two schools were recently commissioned in the remotest parts of Oyo State, namely, Iye-Osa and Igbo-Oruwo. Alhaji Raji also disclosed that the body had been offering free cataracts surgical operations since 2017 and between 15 to 20 patients had benefitted. Underwater for life, he stated that the organization recently sunk water borehole at Okooko and Igbo-Oruwo in Oyo State and that four boreholes will soon be provided in other remote areas.
He thus used the occasion to solicit donations from well-wishers and philanthropists towards the continuous provision of humanitarian services by Humanity First Nigeria.
Other personalities at the event include General Secretary AMJN, Alhaji Abbas Iromini; Head of Programmes MTA International Nigeria Studios, Maulvi Nurudeen Okubena and Sadr (National Leader) Lajna Imaillah Nigeria, Hajia Fagbolade Taofeeqah.
