NGO Empowers Over 4,000 in Rivers

A foundation initiated by two overseas-based Bayelsa-born brothers, Dr. Michael and George Etomi, has empowered 4,220 persons in its annual skill acquisition and empowerment.

The outfit, “M&G Etomi Foundation”, was established 15 years ago to empower and grant financial freedom to the indigent, unemployed youths and women in their Okrika, Rivers State, maternal home.

They shared stories of how the harsh effects of post-Nigerian civil war pushed their then-young mother, now late, back to her family with her young sons, and they were raised with the help of their grandmother. This prompted them to give back to society. One is a doctor and the other a lawyer in the United States, where they live.

The foundation has since 2010 trained non-graduate youths and women in catering, fashion designing, hair styling, welding, photography, graphic design, among others.

It is a one-year certificate program with stipends provided to trainees, beneficiaries to assist in their transportation costs.

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They also train graduates indigenes from the Niger Delta region particularly, those from Ijaw ethnic extraction in professional certificate courses key in the oil and has industries to make them employable in the sector.

In the recent graduation/starter pack distribution ceremony, they both expressed joy and fulfilment in the foundation.

Speaking in their separate interviews, they said: “We find fulfilment in being able to provide necessary training for young men and women to meaningfully and genuinely fend for themselves and also train others.

“This is our way of contributing to the economic growth of our area through skills training and empowerment”.

Executive Director of the Foundation, Mrs.Ibifama Walaku-Saya, noted that the foundation was established to help provide skill sets that are relevant to the local economy and the oil/gas industry that is dominant in the Niger Delta region.

We embark on a one-year intensive training for interested persons and ensure proper certification of our graduates on completion of the stipulated course outlines.

“We are operating in line with the 2007 UNDP declaration, which is to build skills for young persons and empower them to become entrepreneurs and in that line, the Foundation has been providing start-up packs for its graduates on their successful completion of the skills acquisition programs.

“Skill sets in focus include Fashion & Design; Catering; Graphic Design Photography, in addition to graduate-trainees in Health, Safety and Environment,” she said

Royal Father of the day, HRH David Serena-Dokubo Spiff, expressed appreciation to the co-founders of the foundation for their dedication to selfless service and kindness to humanity.

He charged the beneficiaries to guide the skills and knowledge they have gained and utilize them to change the narratives of their families and affect their communities and society positively.