By Emeka Nwokocha
A Nongovernmental Organisation, Development Initiative for Community Impact (DICI), on Tuesday 3 September, 2024, rounded off the 2024 free Summer Fest Skills Acquisition Training for secondary and primary schools’ students and pupils in Warri, Delta State.
The closing ceremony of the four weeks training took place at DICI head office, Warri. More than 25 beneficiaries completed the training and acquired vocational skills such as production and packaging of potato and plantain chips, entrepreneurial skills, soap making, production of coconut oil, frying and packaging of potato and plantain chips. They were also taught peace education, human rights, public speaking, leadership, civic Education, and computer appreciation,
Speaking, the Executive Director of DICI, Dr. Rachael Misan-Ruppee, who was represented by the programme coordinator, Ms Ayo Okotie, congratulated the students, and pupils for demonstrating zeal in acquiring vocational skills they could put to good use in future.
Continuing, she said: “The summer fest training is an annual hands-on light skills acquisition scheme which started in 2018 and sponsored by DICI free of charge with the aim of grooming secondary and primary schools’ students, and pupils, and building their capacity in entrepreneurial and social skills in line with the 2030 Agenda of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).”
She added that, “The impact of the summer fest training on the students, and pupils is phenomenal as the scheme attracts more beneficiaries every year.
Speaking further, she expressed the need for the government of Delta State, multi-national organisations and well-meaning individuals to partner with DICI to expand and sustain the free summer fest training scheme.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Precious Onoriodode, and Chika Paul expressed gratitude to the Executive Director of DICI, Dr. Rachael Misan-Ruppee for initiating the training, adding that they would put to good use the skills they acquired at the training to justify the resources DICI invested in sponsoring and sustaining the training.
High point of the event was presentation of awards and certificates to the participants.
The awardees include Marvelous Onoriodode – Best Behaved Participant; Miracle Okolie – Most Punctual Participant; Chika Paul – Most Resourceful Participant; and Precious Onoriodode – Most Participatory and Engaging Participant.
Also, two participants, Deborah Ugwu, and Chika Paul received gifts for outstanding participation at the training.
