Reintegration and Empowerment for Connecting and Nurturing Opportunities of Vulnerable Populations and Returning Migrants (RECONNECT Project) has graduated 120 individuals in Abuja, consisting of the bulk of Nigerian returnees from irregular migration pathways. The three-month skill acquisition course was designed to empower the participants with skills so that they are self-sufficient and labour employers.
According to his graduation ceremony words, ActionAid Nigeria Country Director Andrew Mamedu said the program is supported by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), German Development Cooperation (GIZ), and GOPA in collaboration with the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI).
Consistent with Mamedu, the project supports economic and social reintegration of the vulnerable groups return migrants, internally displaced persons (IDPs), persons with disabilities (PWDs), and gender-based violence (GBV) survivors by providing vocational training and business start-up assistance.
He revealed that over 400 individuals in Abuja, Lagos, and Benin have acquired market-driven skills such as fashion designing, hairdressing, catering and hotel management, baking and confectionery, textiles and adire-making, and shoe-production.
“Today, we celebrate not only the graduation of a training programme of the 120 Abuja trainees but the startup of new enterprises, new livelihoods, and new hope for these Nigerians,” Mamedu added.
He explained that the training was done under the Inspire, Create, Start, and Scale (ICSS) module a strategy designed to give the participants both technical as well as entrepreneurial skills, prepared to innovate as well as create employment opportunities for other people.
The RECONNECT Project goes beyond reintegration. It is poverty and inequality fighting. Building the capacity of young Nigerians by equipping them with practical and entrepreneurial skills, we are tackling the root cause of unemployment while we restore dignity and resilience,” he went on to say.
Mamedu similarly urged the federal government to create enabling conditions for youth empowerment and participatory development. “No Nigerian should feel compelled to risk their life by way of irregular migration. Empowerment, education, and opportunities have the solution,” he emphasized.
Federal Commissioner of NCFRMI, Aliyu Tijani Ahmed, who presented certificates to the graduates, in his remarks, appealed to them to stay back and assist in building the country.
I have every faith that after you graduate, we will never see any of you on our streets begging again. With the training and seed capital provided, you now have the ability to succeed. Remain in Nigeria and put your skills to work the nation is getting better for the best,” he stated.
