ABIA STATE GOVERNMENT IN THE VANGUARD OF EMPOWERING AND REHABILITATING LIBYA RETURNEES
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Like the old maxims goes, the best way of empowering people is not by giving them fish but by given then the hooks, nets as the case may be and the necessary wherewithal to fish for themselves.

Resulting from the recent mass repatriation of Nigerians frustrated in Libya in an attempt to emigrate to Europe, it created a burden for all the affected States, of which Abia is one.

It is saddening that many agile and promising Nigerians has lost their lives in the unfruitful venturing to cross to Europe. It is worsened by the fact that these illegal emigrants risks deportation, making all their efforts futile in the long run.

These and many challenges prompted the Abia State Government through the E4E coordinator Mr. Endi Ezengwa in conjunction with the commissioner for Special Duties and the Vulnerable Mrs, Precious Achumba to graciously, set up an intervention/rehabilitation programme for these returnees. This framework, encapsulates lodging accommodation, feeding, social reorientation and incentives.

They are currently being trained on Carpentry and Joinery, Animal Husbandry, Electrical Installation and maintenance, Welding and Fabrication, Building Construction and Garment making. The programme which provides free feeding and accommodation with all other expenses paid for by the Government of Abia State is expected to last for a period of 3months before they are integrated into the larger society.

It is captivating to know that the current tutor for Electrical Installation and maintenance was a student of the E4E scheme about four months ago. This simply means that the vision of the State Government in establishing the scheme is gradually being actualised which is to eventually meet the manpower requirements of God's Own State and the nation at large.

As a preventative measure to forestall such dangerous journeys and for further cases like this, Abia State government under the competent pilot-ship of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, being a responsive government, and through the efforts and contributions of Mr. Endi Ezengwa has proactively engaged the Italian Government department of Vocational and Technical Skills studies, Rome to tackle the menace of emigration of African youths through the sub-saharan desert, the Mediterranean sea to Europe in search of greener pastures by providing Education for Employment for them here in Africa.

This facility, MultiSkills Entrepreneurship Development Center is a Public Private Partnership between Abia State Government and Kyara De-Luke Academy and Logistics De-Luke Industries located at km 8, New Aba expressway has been earmarked for the vocational training of interested Abia youths as the present Government is ever willing to train Abia youths in vocational studies to be self reliant. After this trainings, the Government of Abia State will support the trainees into being self employed, employed in the public or private sectors as need be.

©Abraham Adims