The European Union (EU) in collaboration with British Council, has commenced skills acquisition and entrepreneurship training to support 350 members of the Civilian Joint Task Force on self-reliance in Borno State.
The Project Manager British Council, Mr Emmanuel Iyaji, stated this during a 2-days skills acquisition and entrepreneurship support training for the CiviliansJTF members in Maiduguri, Borno capital on Wednesday.
He noted that the civilians it is an integral part of counter-insurgency operations against Boko Haram insurgents in Borno state.
He disclosed that the CJTF members were trained in electrical installation, carpentry and cabinet making, fashion design and tailoring, welding technology, leather and shoe making, hairdressing, confectioneries making as well as perfume, liquid soap, room fresheners and disinfectant.
“With the gradual restoration of security heralding the resettlement of returnee communities, fears emerged that the CJTF members, who abandoned their various trades to join the military against the insurgents, may become a menace to the society if they are not given livelihood skills and psychosocial reintegration training.
“We have selected 350 cjtf members and trained for 3 months on various skills before they will be given start-up packs; this training would help them to understand simple techniques required in business and what they must do to grow in their choosing skills,” Emmanuel said.
He explained that the project was funded by the EU in partnership with the British Council and Managing Conflict in Northeast (MCN) and the training was conducted by the Herwa Development Initiative.
The leading consultant for the training, Hassana Mohammed said that a total of 350 trainees which comprises 96 females and 254 males participated in the projects, saying the training and empowerment by the EU would alleviate the concerns of the public, particularly on how to sustain them as people return to their community.
One of the participants Ya’ Gana Modu thanked the organisers for the training, saying it is timely and she has learnt many things which would help her to be financial discipline while calling on donor agencies to support cjtf because state governments can’t do it alone.
