An NGO, APURIMAC ITALY Project says it has trained over 5,000 youths and women in different vocational skills in Plateau over the last seven years.
Ms Ilaria Orlandi, the Project Manager, made the disclosure in Jos on Thursday during the official handing over of the project to the St. Augustine Order.
“No fewer than 5,000 persons have graduated in various vocational training skills in Jos North, Jos South, Mangu and Mikang Local Government Areas in the last seven years.
“Our field verification shows that out of these 5,000 graduates, more than 75 percent are still not employed because they don’t have workshop, equipment and shops.
“The youths and women are the assets we have, therefore, we should make provision for them and create environment conducive for their productivity, ’’ she said.
The project manager said that APURIMAC ITALY and the European Union came at the peak of the crises in Plateau to see how they could help youths and women through vocational programmes.
Orlandi said the project also set up a Trauma Healing Care Centre at Katako in Jos where over 350 persons suffering physical, psychological and emotional trauma were treated and discharged.
According to her, about 80 inmates are still receiving treatment at the centre.
Orlandi said that he was optimistic that the St. Augustine Order would keep the project going and even improve on it.
Responding, Rev. Fr. John Okoro, commended APURIMA ITALY and the EU for their immense contribution to save the lives of many youths and women in the state.
Okoro pledged to keep the flag of the project flying and even do more to positively affect the lives of the unemployed youths and women in Plateau.
Earlier, the Chairman of the occasion, Mr John Hirse, the District Head of Mangu, said the project had given hope to many youths in his domain.
Hirse advised the Augustine Order to work hard to achieve the desired results. (NAN)