By Bamidele David, Warri
The European Union (EU) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on Thursday in Songhai, Sapele, Delta State graduated its first batch of trainees on small arms project aimed at promoting peace, reduce armed conflicts, and small arms proliferation in Nigeria.
It was held in conjunction with the Leadership Initiative for Transformation and Empowerment (LITE-Africa) and the Presidential Committee on Small Arms and Light Weapons (PRESCOM) with support from the European Union (EU) and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Speaking on behalf of the ECOWAS-EU during the programme, Dr. Joel Bisini, Executive Director, LITE-AFRICA, said “it is working to strengthen efforts aimed at preventing further proliferation and trafficking of illicit small arms and light weapons (SALW) in Nigeria”.
According to him, the EU and ECOWAS funded the Small Arms and Light Weapon SALW Action which aimed at equipping repentant youth with their chosen and desired skills for personal and economic growth.
He maintained that the dangers of the illicit proliferation of small arms and light weapon and its contribution to the unrest and instability within our communities cannot be overemphasized.
“Today we are graduating 132 persons in various skills in Poultry, piggery, fishery, crop farming, food processing, palm oil processing, block molding/interlocking, soap making, vulcanizing, timber mechandizing, barbing, phone repair, POP, plumbing works in various training centres – Delta State (Songhai Delta Sapele), FCT Abuja and Enugu State.
“In Sapele, Delta State, there are 34 from Akwa-Ibom, 71 from Cross-River. In FCT there are 11 from Akwa-Ibom and 4 from Cross-River. In Enugu 9 from Akwa-Ibom and 3 from Cross-River”, he stated.
Bisini disclosed that the next phase of the programmes will be to set the trainees up by providing them with starter pack.
He however hinted that the “start-up will not be automatic as character, behaviour and attitude will determine”.
“I know you will not disappoint your wives and husbands, brothers and sisters, mothers, fathers, the government who at odd hours, in the dead of the night prayed and bear your burden in their mind and heart to see how you succeed in life,” Bisini told the beneficiaries.
