The National Research Institute for Chemical Technology (NARICT), Zaria, last week, alongside other experts, trained 100 girls on various skills in Benue State.
Blueprint reports that the one-week training was organised at the instance of Miss Idoma Ambassador, Queen Esther Ene Daniels.
The participants, who were drawn from the nine LGs of Benue South, were trained from September 7-12, 2020 on skills such as, production of hand sanitisers, liquid soap, odour control, body spray/perfumes, shoes, hand bags, fascinator, carrot oil, cake baking, poultry rearing and make-ups.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony at the weekend, the special assistant to the director-general of NARICT, Dr. Victor Ochigbo, said he led the team of trainers to Benue on the request of the Benue beauty Queen, and commended her for campaigns against RAPE.
Ochigbo assured the readiness of his agency and the commitment of the DG, Prof. Jeffrey Baminas to always partner with the Queen in her future activities.
In her welcome address, Miss Daniels said the skill acquisition training was part of her empowerment program for the Idoma girl-child, stressing that the gesture would go a long way to reduce the menace of RAPE in Idoma land.
She said: “In May this year, I launched an online awareness campaign against RAPE tagged ‘Give Her Pen, Not Penis.’ This literary suggests that we should invest in the education/training of the girl-child rather than causing her pains.
“I have also visited virtually all our leaders and elders, both male and female from Benue South, to appeal to their sensitivity to join hands in this fight against RAPE, through a strong legislation, dependable judicial system, orientation of the male folks and a powerful neighbourhood watch system.”
The beauty Queen called on willing organisations and Benue political leaders to support her initiative to enable her to continue with the empowerment programme every year.
“I intend to make this programme a yearly activity. Even long after I have handed over my crown, I would want to continue with this great initiative, through my yet-to-be registered Foundation and with partnership with Free Image Entertainment, the platform that provided me this opportunity to give my voice against RAPE.”
In their separate remarks, the member representing Ogbadibo at the Benue House of Assembly, Peter Enemari, and the paramount ruler of Otukpa Chiefdom, HRH Sir Sunday Ekele; the Och’Otukpa; leader, Ogbadibo Legislative Council, Jacob Idoko, and Emmanuel Ogwuche commended the beauty Queen’s initiative and urged more support for the Foundation to make the empowerment more elaborate.
Highlight of the programme was exhibition of various products by the trainees and presentation of N20, 000 take-off capital to each of the participants by the beauty Queen, with the promise to monitor and mentor them for two months to ensure they are successful in their trades.
