ITU-The Chairman of Itu Local Government Area Ubong Nkutt, on Monday formally received the 11 youths sponsored by the Council to the Dakkada Skills Acquisition Centre (DASAC), Ikot Ada Idem, following their successful graduation from the State’s world-class technical and vocational training institution.
The beneficiaries, selected from the 11 wards in Itu as part of the chairman’s youth empowerment initiative, completed intensive hands-on training designed to equip them with practical, entrepreneurial and employability skills in line with the ARISE Human Capital Development Agenda of the Akwa Ibom government.
Welcoming the graduands at the Council Secretariat, Mbak Atai, Nkutt congratulated them on their successful completion of the programme and appreciated the governor of Akwa Ibom , Pastor Umo Eno, for establishing the DASAC centre, which continues to provide youths across the state with opportunities to acquire life-changing technical and entrepreneurial skills.
The chairman urged the graduates to deploy the skills acquired towards building successful businesses and contributing to the development of the area,noting that the beneficiaries were nominated from the 11 wards through recommendations by community stakeholders to ensure equitable participation.
He gave special recognition to Miss Edidiong Nelson, who emerged as the Overall Best Graduating Student in the School of Hospitality and Second Overall Best Graduating Student in the entire graduating cohort, describing her feat as a source of pride to Itu.
Nkutt also presented each of the 11 graduates with a modest financial support package to encourage them as they begin their entrepreneurial journey.
Speaking at the event, the Leader of the Itu Legislative Council, Mr Godswill David, and the Secretary of the Council, Mr. Imoh Okon, also congratulated the graduates and urged them to remain worthy ambassadors of Itu Local Government.
On behalf of the beneficiaries, their course representative, Mr. Edidiong Akpan, presented an award of appreciation to the chairman in recognition of his sponsorship and commitment to youth development, assuring him that the graduates would put their acquired skills to productive use.
The event also featured the presentation of products made by the graduates, including handcrafted leather slippers by Nelson, as tokens of appreciation to the chairman.
The reception was attended by the vice chairman of Itu Local Government Area, Helen Nta, the Head of Service, Mr. Dominic Utin, councillors, supervisors and other officials of the Council.