*EdoJobs, Azura Power train youths on welding, fashion, cassava production in livelihood support programme*

The Edo State Skills Development Agency (EdoJobs) in partnership with Azura Power Plc has trained youths in the state on welding, cassava production, ruminant animal rearing, fashion design and phone repairs and maintenance to equip the youths with trade skills for self-reliance and improve their livelihood.

Managing Director of EdoJobs, Ukinebo Dare, during the flag-off of the training session, said that the state government is providing an enabling environment for investors in the state to directly impact on their host communities and improve living standards.

According to her, “Thirty persons are being trained on GSM repairs, catering, fashion design, production of natural skincare products, ruminant animal rearing, cassava production, and welding. There are different durations for training the youths in each of these trade areas. The hair production is one month, while welding is six months. Four persons will be trained in each of the trade areas.”

She added: “This is part of Azura’s Livelihood Restoration Programme. They want to enhance the living standards of residents in their host community. We are introducing what we call cluster management. The four persons being trained in each of the trade areas would work together and provided with starter packs. They would get a space and equipment to work together for one year, during which their progress would be closely monitored.”

Managing Director, Azura-Edo, Edu Okeke, said: "Azura-Edo is committed to powering homes across Nigeria as well as improving lives and livelihoods. Through our ‘Power To Change’ initiative, Azura's CSR vehicle, we implement transformative social programmes aimed at bringing positive change to lives of people in our host communities and across Nigeria.

“Therefore, Azura is pleased to partner with Edo Jobs to implement this rigorously planned programme geared towards improving the livelihoods of 35 people from our host communities by equipping them with vocational skills that will turn them into business owners."

*PHOTO CAPTION:*
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L-R: Community Relations Manager, Azura Power Plc, Sunday Ogbodo; Environment Safety Health and Social Manager, Azura Power Plc, Dafe Onoro; Head, EdoJobs, Mrs. Ukinebo Dare; Community Relations Officer, Azura Power Plc, Ohi Omozuanfo, and Director of Skills Development, EdoJobs, Niyi Omole, during the flag-off of a skills acquisition and training programme organised by Edo State Government and Azura Power Plc, at the Edo Innovation Hub, in Benin City.

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