The Enugu North Local Government Area, on Monday, August 11, 2025, officially inducted participants of the Enugu North Skill-Up Project in a ceremony that underscored the administration’s commitment to youth empowerment and human capital development.
The free vocational training, which commenced in June 2025, is an initiative of the Dr. Ibenaku Harford Onoh-led administration in partnership with the Potter’s Wheel Foundation and Copen Academy. The programme aims to equip over 130 residents with practical skills in bricklaying, electrical installation, plumbing, tiling, baking, and other entrepreneurial trades to foster self-reliance and sustainable livelihoods.
Addressing the gathering, Executive Chairman Dr. Ibenaku Harford Onoh said the Skill-Up Project was designed to empower as many residents as possible, adding that more participants would be trained in subsequent batches. He described the initiative as a grassroots adaptation of Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah’s experiential learning approach and economic emancipation drive.
Dr. Onoh commended the dedication of the beneficiaries and assured them of his continued support, while also praising Governor Mbah for providing the developmental roadmap that guides his administration’s projects and programmes.
In his remarks, the Senior Special Assistant to the Chairman on Strategy and Implementation, Hon. Chijioke Diogu, welcomed participants and partners, commending Dr. Onoh for initiating a programme that has transformed the beneficiaries from “consumers to producers” who will contribute to the local and state economy.
Similarly, the Senior Special Assistant to the Chairman on WASH and Donor Relations, Mrs. Adaora Oji, urged beneficiaries to take the training seriously, emphasising that the ultimate goal is economic empowerment and independence.
Leaders of the partnering organisations and some beneficiaries also shared testimonies on the programme’s impact, praising Dr. Onoh and Governor Mbah for the rare opportunity. They pledged to utilise the skills acquired to improve their livelihoods and extend the benefits to others.
The Copen Academy segment of the programme spans six months—three months of intensive training followed by three months of mentorship and field experience—while the Potter’s Wheel Foundation component focuses on entrepreneurial skills and small-scale production, including cake baking and the manufacture of detergents on both large and small scales.
