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It was an happy moment has 100 beneficiaries were gifted start-up packs to start their own businesses after undergoing a four months empowerment training program in Yenagoa the Bayelsa State Capital.
The empowerment program which was organized by Paul Ogouns Foundation (POF) is to actualize the dreams and aspirations of the needy and less privileged of the society through orientation, reorientation and empowerment.
The beneficiaries were drawn from the eight local government arears of the state and trained in divers arears including Catering, Tailoring,Cake baking,Make-up artistry,Agro fishing farming, Paint production as well as Cosmetologist – Liquid and bar soap making.
Speaking to Newsmen the founder/President of Paul Ogouns Foundation,High Chief Paul Ogoun who was elated said the foundation was conceived and birthed in February 2021 and inaugurated on 1st July 2022 with the intention of uplifting the downtrodden.
He said as a non-governmental organization (NGO) is grassroot development through orientation and reorientation of members of the society, empowerment, vocational and skills acquisition who’s target audience are the youths, widows and less-priviledge of the society with a view of putting smiles on their faces and changing their stories by the provision of life changing tools to them.
According to Ogoun aside giving start-up packs to enable the beneficiaries settle down and start a business of their own, certificates will also be giving to the graduands in addition to making the trainees self reliant by offering them a source of livelihood.
He said”I wish to charge the graduating students to put the knowledge acquired and the start-up packs that will be given to you,to good use.We do not want to hear stories that you engage in the ignoble act of selling off your start-packs as some people do.This is an opportunity for you to start your own business.
Ogoun,who complained about some of the challenges particularly in the arear of funding called on the state government, multinational oil companies operating in the state as well as well meaning individuals for support.
One of the elated beneficiaries Hope Bokolo from Okpoma in Brass local government area of the state thanked God and the founder for the initiative and for ensuring they took their skills seriously.
Miss Hope Bokolo who was trained on Agro and fish farming said she’s not ready to leave any stone unturned as she’s fully ready to go into snail production,while advising young people not to relent but be prayerful adding that God can use anyone to bless them.
