Delta NGO Rounds off 2019 Summer Fest Training Programme in Warri, as Secondary, Primary Schools Children Acquire Vocational Skills

By Emeka Nwokocha

Warri based nongovernmental organisation, Development Initiative for Community impact (DICI), has rounded off the 2nd edition of an annual hands-on vocational skills acquisition training for primary and secondary schools children, tagged: “Summer Fest Training 2019.”

The 30-days long vocational training availed the children an opportunity of acquiring useful skills in areas such as bags, sandals and slippers production using local ankara material. They also acquired skills in bleach, antiseptic, and liquid soap production, including basic computer skills. In the same vein, the children were exposed to peace, security, and human rights education.

The training took place at DICI head office in Warri, headquarters of Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State.

Speaking at the close of the vocational training programme which was marked with a graduation ceremony on Friday, 30 August,  the coordinator of the training, Mrs. Nefertiti Okotie, said the aim of the programme was to equip the children with creative skills that would enhance their creativity in the near future.

She said, “the Summer Fest Training is the initiative of DICI to develop the creative skills of children alongside their academic pursuit. On that note, we want to catch them young as we train them (children) on vocational and leadership skills. We also educate them on the relevance of peace, security education, and human rights – particularly child rights.

“The first edition of the Summer Fest Training held in 2018 with a tremendous success, even as the 2019 edition has equally made a huge impact on the children. For instance, at the start of the training, some of the children simply do not know how to use a computer because they do not have free access to computers or computer training. That narrative has changed, as the interesting story is that the children have acquired the basic computer skills at the training and they can use a computer perfectly.”

Continuing, Okotie said that the graduation ceremony had on display products produced by the children such as antiseptics, liquid soaps and bleach with a brand logo “DICI” while others include sandals, bags, and slippers.

Speaking earlier, the Executive Director of DICI, Mrs. Rachael Misan-Ruppee, congratulated the children on their graduation, commending their enthusiasm towards learning the vocational skills at the 30-days long training. She urged them to develop on the skills they have acquired and put them to good use in the future.

Parents of the children, and other personalities present at the event applauded the organiser of the programme, Mrs. Rachael Misan-Ruppee for her foresight and uncommon commitment to the development of the society through capacity building of children enabled by creativity and innovation.