By Itodo Daniel Sule
Abuja – Over 1,000 participants from across the six area councils of the FCT Saturday took part in the Incentivised Pilot Schools Sewing Championship project being organized by the Ladi Memorial Foundation (LMF).
The project, which is being supported by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) and other partners, is aimed at motivating and harnessing creativity among young adults as well as identifying and promoting talented young skilled artisans and craftsmen of school age.
Speaking while monitoring the first phase of the competition at AMAC centre, Executive Director of LMF, Mrs Rosemary Osikoya, said participants will undergo both practical and theoretical tests after which the best nine will be selected from each of the six area councils for the next stage.
She said the initiative was designed to sensitize the general public and targeted stakeholders on the benefits of vocational education and livelihood skills development.
Osikoya said the 54 winners that will emerge from the first phase of the competition will undergo a five-day intensive training at a boot camp after which three overall winners will emerge.
She said participants and participating schools that will emerge first, second and third positions at the end of the competition will get sewing machines and sewing equipment as prizes.
According to her, the targeted beneficiaries/groups include young adults aged 12-20 years who are enrolled in both formal learning centres (JSS and SSS) and out-of-school youths or learners in non-formal learning centres in Abuja.
She said the initiative will ensure the engagement of creativity, innovative traits and boundless energy of young adults in a profitable, productive, rewarding and Incentivised engagement which rewards excellent performance. (Daily Trust)