Defence
THE Chief of defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, has charged barracks youths and women to acquire special skills other than conventional education to ensure a secured future for them.
Musa gave the advice during the graduation of the beneficiaries of the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA) Skills Acquisition Center, on Tuesday in Abuja.
He urged parents and guardians to encourage their children to embrace learning new skills alongside their formal education, saying that the new world increasingly valued skills as a differentiator.
According to him, it is not enough to rely solely on traditional paths; skills empower individuals to stand out and thrive in today’s dynamic landscape.
“To our graduates, the training you have received here equips you not just with technical expertise but with essential values like discipline, adaptability, and innovation.
“These are qualities that will serve as your compass as you navigate the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.
“The skills you have acquired—whether in tailoring, catering, hair dressing, ICT, or any other vocational area—are more than tools for survival.
“They are foundations for building careers, starting businesses, and transforming dreams into reality,” he said.
The CDS said that skills acquired would help them to contribute not only to their personal success but also to the socio-economic development of the nation.
He urged them to strive to uplift others around them, as well as inspire, mentor, and contribute to nation-building in any way they could.
Musa announced a token of ₦100,000 for each graduate to serve as a seed for greater achievements in the future.
The President of DEPOWA, Mrs Oghogho Musa, challenged them to step forward with new skills, new opportunities and a renewed sense of purpose and potential.
Mrs Musa urged them to make good use of the opportunity to better their lives and equally better the life of others by creating employment, generate income and inspire others.
She expressed appreciation to CDS for supporting, encouraging and inspired her in making impact in the lives of the beneficiaries.
She also appreciated the First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu for her encouragement through her Renewed Hope Initiative.
The DEPOWA President said the centre had added farming and other aspects of the culinary arts for the training to be a full and complete training session for them.
The Coordinator of DEPOWA Skills Acquisition, Maj. BJ Anaya, said the training started on May 31, with a total of 111 participants: 86 widows, 74 vulnerable individuals, and one non-vulnerable person, all of whom were sponsored by various organisations and individuals.
Anaya said goal of the programme was to develop globally competitive entrepreneurs who would be self-sufficient, proficient in their skills, and capable of making a meaningful impact in the market.
The coordisais the centre trained the graduates in variety of skills, including: fashion design, culinary arts, bag making, makeup artistry, household production, barbing and hair/wig making as well as computer appreciation. (NAN)
A.I
Dec. 4, 2024
Tags: Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association DEPOWA Gen. Christopher Musa Mrs Oghogho Musa Sen. Oluremi Tinubu
