As a measure taken to not only monitor but assess performance of beneficiaries, the Comrade Zikurebai Oyinkuro Wazo-led Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Gbaramatu Clan, in Delta State, embarked on a tour of empowerment training centers where trainees are undertaking the youth body's sponsored initiative across the cities of Effurun, Ekpan, Jeddo, Udu, and Warri.

The exercise which saw the assessment team, made up of Comr. Zikurebai (Chairman), Edolo Tracy Lawei (Secretary), and Uruemu Agakekeme Moses (Treasurer), had a one-on-one encounter with the beneficiaries, took place on Thursday, August 15, 2024.

Tagged as 'Skill Up Initiative', the IYC Gbaramatu Clan sponsored programme began on June 10, 2024, with applications received from natives of Gbaramatu Kingdom in the Warri South-West Local Government Area, who were later screened by a committee of the youth body on June 22, 2024.

Successful applicants, previously 11 in number, were later made public on June 25, 2024. However only eight were able to continue with their various vocational training on July 10, 2024 as IYC Phase 1 Stream 1 beneficiaries of the Gbaramatu IYC Skill Up Initiative. Out of the three beneficiaries that failed to continue, one went for NYSC, another could not meet up as the trainer relocated from the chosen oporoza location to Warri, while the third had an engagement leading to the forfeitment of the training. 

"The IYC Gbaramatu Clan sponsored empowerment programme is an initiative designed to train Gbaramatu youths that are willing and ready to acquire new skills that will enable them to be financially independent," said Comr. Zikurebai on the purpose of the training programme.

"In the selection process the interested beneficiaries now undergoing training were given the freedom to state the skill they would like to acquire, how much it will cost to acquire the skill, the duration of the training, and their most preferred training center," the IYC Gbaramatu Clan Chairman further explained.

The beneficiaries and their areas of skill development are: Kennedy Denyefa (Hairdressing), England Blessing (Make Over), Awele Robert (Fashion Design), Goodluck Keme (Shoe Making), Wuruyai Gladys (Beauty Aesthetic), ⁠Igere Doubra (Fashion Design), Duncan Diamond (Shoe Making) and Ayebo Frank (Barbing).

It was learnt that the duration of the various skills that the beneficiaries would be trained for include barbing and beauty (2 months) make over and shoe making (6 months) and fashion design and hair dressing (1 year).

During the visit, the assessment team visited the following locations of the beneficiaries: Hairdressing Klassic Parlor by Mofor, Udu (Denyefa), Adanigo opposite Orhuwhorun Primary School, Udu (England), Medal Jewel Concept in Udu by former Union Bank (Awele), Tega Spencer Leathery Craft before Jeddo Primary School, Jeddo (Goodluck), Elo_Age Beauty Academy by Praise Center Junction Jakpa Road, Ekpan (Wuruyai), Sam Style at Omase Street, New Layout off Jakpa Road, Ekpan (Igere), Omo West Designs at Omamor Link Road off Refinery Road, Effurun (Duncan), Rich Haircut at Eburu Junction Okumagba Layout, Warri (Ayebo).

"So far so good the beneficiaries show seriousness and the zeal to achieve the objective of the empowerment training. They were all on set on our arrival at their posts and their trainers comments were positive," said the IYC Gbaramatu Clan Treasurer, Miss Moses.

On her part, the IYC Gbaramatu Clan Secretary, Edolo, commended the beneficiaries for not disappointing their sponsors and urged them to keep it up.

On their part, the beneficiaries thanked their sponsors for the opportunity given to them to gain new skills, and commended the Chairman of the IYC Gbaramatu Clan, Comr. Zikurebai, for coming up with such laudable initiative which they said will help to reduce joblessness and poverty among youths in the kingdom over time if the initiative is built on.

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